Lubega Nsamba, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer and Makerere University’s 90th Guild President, has stirred mixed reactions after expressing gratitude towards President Museveni. Nsamba acknowledged the government’s support for the reconstruction of Makerere’s iconic Ivory Tower, which was severely damaged by fire in 2020.
A video circulating on social media shows Nsamba praising President Museveni during an event where both the President and First Lady Janet Museveni attended the official reopening of the restored Main Building. This unexpected gesture from Nsamba, an NUP affiliate, has sparked a debate, with many supporters questioning his political allegiance.
One social media user reacted: “Nsamba is our candidate at Makerere. Where did he mention our purinsipo [principal] in the speech? We’re confused!”
Another follower, Vincent Byamukama, commented, “Have you forgotten when Jesus said, ‘Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven’? We need to learn to do what our people want, rather than mention certain names.”
Others were more critical: “Has he eaten? Appreciated M7? In NUP, you don’t appreciate M7! He should have criticized instead if he wanted to stay safe in NUP,” another post read.
Nsamba, who had previously been endorsed by NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, garnered widespread support in the 2024 Guild elections, narrowly winning with 2,540 votes, just four votes ahead of his closest rival. Bobi Wine congratulated him publicly, praising NUP’s continued dominance at Makerere University.
The controversial remarks came during the event marking the reopening of the Ivory Tower, a building deeply rooted in Uganda’s history, which had been gutted by fire in September 2020.
