Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, has lifted the lid on his fallout with National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi , also known as Bobi Wine.
In an interview with Sanyuka TV, Basalirwa said that Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, was once a close confidant who frequently consulted him on political matters.
“Mr. Kyagulanyi was my good friend who we used to discuss a lot of matters. He would come to my home at any time, night, day—even if you ask my children. But he changed; I don’t know what happened,” Basalirwa said.
When asked about attempts to reconcile, Basalirwa disclosed that Bobi Wine has blocked him on social media, making communication impossible.
“By the way, he blocked me, everywhere—even on social media—so there’s no way we can have a conversation,” he said.
The MP was responding to statements Bobi Wine made during his campaign training in Bugiri last week, where the NUP leader claimed Basalirwa allegedly pleaded with his supporters to vote for him in 2021, but later changed his stance.
Basalirwa refuted this, insisting their past political cooperation was mutual and recalling that he supported Kyagulanyi in 2017 during the Kyadondo MP by-election, despite skepticism from others.
“I supported him in 2017 when he contested for Kyadondo MP by-election even when the people he’s now cherishing did not believe him,” he said.
Basalirwa also urged Bobi Wine to treat other political leaders with respect, emphasizing that he will not be intimidated. “I want to win or lose with dignity,” he said.
He further suggested that the homosexuality bill played a role in their fallout. Basalirwa cited an interview where Bobi Wine claimed the bill was brought to target him, leaving Basalirwa questioning his intentions.
“I saw him in an interview with a certain international TV where he said this bill was brought to fight him, and I asked myself, is he among them? I even sent him a message asking why he said this,” Basalirwa said.
He projected a gloomy future for himself should Bobi Wine assume power, fearing possible exile, imprisonment, or other forms of persecution.
“If Mr. Kyagulanyi becomes president, three things might happen to me: either forcing me into exile, hanging me, or even jailing me,” he said.
Basalirwa advised the NUP leader to focus on winning power rather than targeting fellow politicians:
“I’m among the six best performing MPs, I’ve brought so many bills—even the famous homosexuality bill. If you tell people to uproot someone who’s performing well, then your agenda is unknown,” he said.
He added that his estrangement from Bobi Wine may also be linked to the latter’s closeness to Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.
“All the three speakers have been my friends—from Kadaga, Oulanya to Among. For Among, our relationship is beyond, because she gives my law firm business,” he explained.
The revelations shed light on growing tensions within Uganda’s political landscape and underline the personal and political rifts that continue to influence alliances ahead of the 2026 elections.
