Mathias Mpuuga the Nyendo-Mukungwe MP and former leader of the opposition has always been regarded as the “king” of Masaka politics without whose endorsement, one might not make political inroads in the area.
Yesterday, the NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine relegated him to “a prince” and at least, momentarily took over Mpuuga’s territory in great show of power and influence.
The relationship between the two politicians got strained after revelations that Mpuuga had been given Shs 500 million as a token of appreciation by Parliament for his work as LOP. Kyagulanyi told him to resign but Mpuuga refused before the NUP leader suspended him as his deputy president for central region.
Kyagulanyi’s supporters endured tear gas and many walked long distances to attend his rally at Masaka Recreation Ground.
On several occasions, police had to divert his convoy and supporters to off beaten road tracks.
They persevered. In the end, Kyagulanyi’s good showing in Masaka confounded critics who had said his standoff with Mpuuga would affect his political fortunes in the city.
Kyagulanyi’s countrywide tours have been a cross between a music concert and a political rally and Masaka was no any different.
In Masaka, he first sang his “Nalumansi” song, working the crowd into a frenzy. Then he unveiled his political message which touched on the historical significance of Masaka as an economic and political hub.
“This is a train. It does not stop. If you stand in its way, it will run over you,” Kyagulanyi, dressed in a red overall matched with a red berret, said as he started his speech.
It speaks volumes that Kyagulanyi did not mention Mpuuga by name during the rally. He only alluded to the fact that some of the elected leaders in Masaka “had made some big mistakes.”
He reserved his strongest criticism for Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the CDF.
He implored the people to join him in the fight to ensure that Muhoozi does not succeed his father.
He said: “If you allow Museveni’s rule to go unchallenged, his son will lead you. You are going to be slaves on your land. You are going to study and get degrees but the best you will do is to go work in the Arab world. Is this what you want?”
He decried the high taxes imposed on business people and lashed out at Museveni for the wasteful state expenditure.
“Museveni uses close to Shs 3 bn a day. Where does this money come from? From you. They have to milk you to fund their life. In this year’s budget they have set aside Shs 300 bn for special meals in State House,” he said, adding: “But all referral hospitals including the one in Masaka have been given Shs 286 billion. So, to Museveni special meals are more important than people’s health.”
(Editor’s note: The Shs 300 billion that Kyagulanyi talked about has been budgeted for special meals for all government agencies and departments not only State House.)
What next for Kyagulanyi, Mpuuga?
Kyagulanyi made a big political statement in Masaka that he still retained the love and support of many people in an area that is regarded as the heartbeat of Buganda.
He was scheduled to head to Mityana today but police halted his rallies following the fracas in the lead up to the Masaka rally in which three people died in an accident in Maya.
For Mpuuga, he will have to do deep introspection about his political future going forward. On his own, he is likely to be re-elected to Parliament but whether he can influence then election of other leaders in Masaka remains to be seen.
Mpuuga is scheduled to have a thanksgiving ceremony in Masaka on June 21 where Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga is expected to be the chief guest. Will he have the last laugh?
We can only “sit and wait” like Sydney Youngblood, the American-Germany musician sang in his great hit.
