James Churchill Ssentamu, the 91st Guild President of Makerere University and nephew to opposition leader Bobi Wine, has become the centre of a political storm.
His meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on April 8, 2025, during the launch of Makerere University’s Research and Innovation Week, has sparked a wave of controversy, particularly among supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The meeting, which initially seemed routine, became a topic of discussion after a photo of the encounter was shared online. For many NUP supporters, the image symbolised a betrayal of the party’s values, especially given the long-standing political opposition between Museveni and NUP, the party led by Bobi Wine.
Critics accused Ssentamu of aligning himself with a regime that has been a major opponent to his uncle’s political ambitions.
The controversy deepened following a public statement from Fred Nyanzi, Ssentamu’s father and the Chief Mobiliser of NUP. He condemned his son’s meeting with the president.
He referred to Museveni as a leader with “blood-stained hands,” alluding to past political violence, including alleged attempts on the lives of both Nyanzi and Bobi Wine.
Nyanzi also urged his son to apologise to NUP supporters and reconsider his position as guild president.
Ssentamu’s political path has not been simple. Before being elected Guild President, he faced internal conflicts within NUP, notably losing the party’s nomination for the position to Ismail Basalirwa.
Choosing to run as an independent, Ssentamu won the presidency, defeating Basalirwa. This decision already caused division within NUP, and his recent actions, including the meeting with Museveni, have only intensified the rift.
Minister Kyofatogabye Kabuye, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has weighed in on the controversy. Kabuye suggested that Ssentamu could be a strong candidate for the Kawempe parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections.
He praised Ssentamu for his independent mindset and suggested that he could represent the people of Kawempe well.
Kabuye stated, “He can compete very well against his father, NUP’s Chairman Nyanzi for that position because I see he has an independent mind, and that’s what we want in NRM.”
Kabuye added that if Ssentamu chose to run for the Kawempe seat, NRM would be ready to offer support. He also hinted that the NRM could provide financial assistance, even saying,
“I can leave my elections first and focus on his if he decides to contest. As NRM, we’re very willing to support him in any endeavours, even though the father refuses to pay for his tuition. That’s if he’s on private sponsorship, we can foot his tuition.”
Kabuye’s comments have raised questions, as they appear to offer support to Ssentamu, despite the political and family tensions. The minister’s readiness to back Ssentamu for future political positions adds another layer to the ongoing debate.
