Despite malice NUP, Bobi, Katana and Rubongoya remain unbreakable
By James Kabengwa
However, publicly available facts reveal a different story. Rubongoya’s relationship with Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the leader of NUP, dates back to their days Wine as la aw student. In fact, Rubongoya taught Bobi Wine Constitutional law at Chavendish University.
Despite the malicious claims, Rubongoya and Bobi Wine have maintained a strong friendship over the years. When Bobi Wine decided to contest for the Parliamentary by-election in Kyadondo East in 2017, he reached out to Rubongoya for guidance. Although they were shunned by the Democratic Party and Forum for Democratic Change, Rubongoya’s expertise in law helped them navigate the complexities of registering the People Power Movement. The Electral Commission declined citing some Ugandans had already reserved the name.
Benjamin Katana, the Treasurer of NUP, has also been a long-time friend and ally of Bobi Wine who has been and continues offering private legal assistance to Wine’s family. In 2019, for example, Katana served as Bobi Wine’s lawyer in a land saga involving the eviction of 400 people, including Bobi Wine, from the Ghetto zones of Mulimira, Kisenyi, and Old Kikira Road. In several interviews regarding the conflict I interacted with him via telephone.
The trio’s friendship has been instrumental in shaping the National Unity Platform. In 2018, Rubongoya, Katana, and Joel Ssenyonyi, the three movers of People Power, entered into an agreement with the Nkonge Kibalama group to take over the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP), which eventually became NUP. NURP had been been registered in 2004.
On July 14, 2020, Bobi Wine assumed leadership of NUP and was declared the party’s flag-bearer. Throughout this journey, Rubongoya, Katana, and Bobi Wine have remained steadfast in their commitment to one another and to the cause of promoting democracy and good governance in Uganda.
Abed Bwanika and the rest who may be working for the regime or are disgruntled, are strategically showcasing Rubongoya and Katana as Museveni supporters to sow confusion among political opponents, create doubt within the opposition, or exploit divisions for personal gain. When these groups endavour highlighting these connections, Bwanika and his like-minds seek to undermine unity and credibility within the opposition camp.
But Malicious claims against Rubongoya and Katana are nothing and will remain desperate attempts to discredit the duo and the National Unity Platform. The public only ought to celebrate the enduring friendship and partnership between Katana, Rubongoya, and Bobi Wine.
The writer is a journalist and sympathise of the National Unity Platform
