A fresh wave of internal criticism has hit the National Unity Platform (NUP) after activist Justice Hunter launched a scathing attack on party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, accusing him of shielding his brother Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu from accountability amid serious allegations.
In a statement circulating online, Justice Hunter claimed that NUP has drifted from its founding principles of transparency and accountability, arguing that individuals within the party are being protected based on family ties rather than merit or ethics.
“My party, NUP, protects individuals based on surname rather than principle,” Hunter stated, directly referencing Fred Nyanzi, who has been a key figure in the party’s mobilisation structure.
He further alleged that Nyanzi has been elevated into what he termed the “salim sale of NUP,” despite longstanding accusations levelled against him, including sexual harassment, party ticket trading, intimidation, extortion, and internal betrayal.
The activist did not provide evidence for the claims but insisted that many within the party are aware of the allegations yet remain silent due to fear of retaliation and online backlash.
Hunter accused senior party officials of suppressing dissent, arguing that those who attempt to raise concerns are often labelled as “moles” or political infiltrators, a tactic he says has discouraged internal accountability.
“There are many leaders who know the truth but fear to speak truth to power and the online mob insults,” he added, suggesting that internal fear has weakened the party’s internal governance structures.
The activist also revisited a long-standing internal issue, questioning the status of a promised NUP sexual harassment report that has reportedly remained unpublished since 2021.
He alleged that the report has been withheld due to the involvement of influential figures within the party leadership.
“Transparency is our principle but the report is kept in secrecy because of the name Ssentamu,” Hunter claimed, without providing documentation to support the assertion.
Fred Nyanzi, who is the elder brother of Bobi Wine and a senior mobilisation figure within NUP, has recently been in the spotlight after court-related controversies in which he was mentioned as a potential prosecution witness in a case involving NUP members accused of unlawful activities.
Nyanzi has publicly denied cooperating with state investigators in that matter.
In his remarks, Justice Hunter also suggested that internal criticism within NUP is selectively tolerated, accusing some members of hypocrisy for only condemning certain individuals while ignoring broader leadership issues.
He maintained that fear of political isolation and public attacks has contributed to what he described as a culture of silence within the opposition party.
“Folks selectively criticizing Nyanzi are a bunch of hypocrites and cowards,” he stated, arguing that internal discipline has been replaced by loyalty politics.
The remarks come at a time when NUP continues to position itself as a leading opposition force in Uganda’s political landscape, but also faces recurring scrutiny over internal cohesion, leadership accountability, and governance structures.