Fred Nyanzi, the Chairman of Mobilisation for the National Unity Platform (NUP) and brother to party leader Bobi Wine, has publicly called on his son, James Churchill Ssentamu, to step down from his position as Guild President of Makerere University.
This follows the circulation of a controversial photo showing Ssentamu with President Yoweri Museveni.
In a passionate video statement that has since gone viral, Nyanzi expressed disappointment and anger at the image, describing Museveni as a “dictator” with “bloodstained hands.”
He accused the President of attempting to harm both himself and his brother, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), in addition to being responsible for the suffering of many Ugandans.
“I received news that annoyed Ugandans and annoyed me a lot… I saw pictures of my son seated with the dictator. My son, Churchill, that man you’re seated with is a very dangerous man… he doesn’t wish you anything good,” Nyanzi said in the video. “That man tried to kill me two months ago. He tried to kill your uncle, Kyagulanyi. He arrested your relatives. Many Ugandans have died at his hands.”
Despite Ssentamu’s election as guild president in March on an independent ticket after failing to secure NUP’s endorsement, Nyanzi emphasized the family’s loyalty to the opposition movement.
He urged his son to apologize to the Ugandan people and consider the weight of his actions.
“It’s true you won on an independent ticket, but you’re our son. The world sees a lot in you,” he said.