A fresh political debate has emerged following remarks by commentator David Soita Masinde, who has challenged how the public is interpreting claims that Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu could testify in a case involving members of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The discussion follows an official statement by Nyanzi, in which he rejected claims by state prosecutors that he is among their witnesses in the Kanyanya court case.
He described the allegations as malicious, maintaining that he has never recorded any statement with authorities and accusing the state of targeting opposition figures.
Masinde, however, argues that the public debate has taken a misleading direction. He says the framing of Nyanzi either as a traitor or a victim oversimplifies a more complex situation.
“Everyone is now arguing: ‘Nyanzi is a traitor’ or ‘Nyanzi is a victim.’ But I think both are wrong,” Masinde said.
He suggested that the situation points to a broader political strategy, claiming that Nyanzi may be caught up in a system designed to weaken opposition movements over time.
“The truth is that he’s a pawn in a game the state designed many years ago,” he stated.
Masinde also referenced past internal efforts within NUP to identify individuals suspected of disloyalty. He noted that while the party had previously addressed such concerns, it may not have anticipated the current developments.
“The real question is: why does NUP, a movement that survived bullets, teargas, abductions and all that, get broken by a ‘likely testimony’ from Fred Nyanzi?” he posed.
He argued that part of the problem lies in how political movements treat loyalty. According to him, loyalty is often elevated without sufficient attention to strategy, making it a potential weakness.
“It is because we romanticise loyalty. We treat it as sacred, even when it becomes a trap,” he said.
Masinde added that loyalty without careful political thinking can be exploited, warning that opposition groups risk internal strain if they fail to adapt.
“Loyalty without strategic thinking is just a leash. The state pulled it,” he remarked.
He cautioned that similar situations could arise again if political organisations do not reassess how they manage internal trust and decision-making.
“The enemy learned how to use your strength against you. Now you must learn how to adapt,” he concluded.
In his statement, Nyanzi insisted that the charges facing his colleagues are unfounded and politically driven. He called for their release and urged the public to remain cautious about narratives he believes are meant to create division within the party.