Outgoing Kampala Central Member of Parliament Muhammad Nsereko has cautioned Ugandans against underestimating President Yoweri Museveni’s political acumen, while defending recent engagement between opposition legislators and the Head of State.
Speaking during Sanyuka One on One on Wednesday, Nsereko, who also heads the Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), addressed the growing debate surrounding last week’s meeting between President Museveni and a delegation of opposition Members of Parliament led by Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
“One of the biggest mistakes Ugandans make is underestimating the capability of President Museveni. You clearly don’t understand how power is negotiated,” Nsereko said.
His remarks come amid heightened political discussion following Nsibambi’s meeting with the President, which has drawn mixed reactions within opposition ranks, with some leaders questioning the timing and motive of the engagement.
Nsereko dismissed criticism directed at Nsibambi, arguing that political engagement should not automatically be interpreted as weakness or betrayal.
“Who told you that someone with Nsibambi’s intellectual capacity becomes a loser simply because they lost an election? There is no such thing as perfect timing. Even when elections end, the clock doesn’t stop. Life and leadership continue,” he said.
He further referenced Democratic Party President Norbert Mao as an example of how political perceptions shift over time.
“People used to laugh at Mao, but they don’t anymore. The moment he got a position, attitudes changed. That’s hypocrisy,” Nsereko noted.
Nsereko also expressed appreciation for Nsibambi’s initiative, saying, “I thank Nsibambi for what he did.”
The meeting between President Museveni and opposition legislators was led by Nsibambi and reportedly included Okot Bitek (Kioga County, FDC), Moses Kabusu (Kyamuswa County, PFF), Roland Ndyomugyenyi (Rukiga County), Fred Kayondo (Mukono South, DP), Richard Lumu (Mityana South, DP), and former Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebagala Ssengendo, among others.
In an exclusive interview with NBS Television on Friday, Nsibambi said the discussions centered on national stability, peace, and reconciliation following what he described as a tense post-election period.
“The talks were about easing political tensions and promoting unity for development and stability,” Nsibambi said.
According to him, the delegation raised concerns over the continued detention of individuals arrested in connection with political activities.
They appealed to the President to consider pardoning hundreds of political detainees and called for an independent investigation into the continued detention of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Buganda Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Member of Parliament for Butambala County.
Despite framing the meeting as a move toward national reconciliation, Nsibambi’s decision to engage the President without broader consultation has attracted criticism from sections of the opposition, with some leaders accusing him of acting unilaterally and undermining collective opposition strategies.
Defending his actions, Nsibambi maintained that he acted independently and in what he believes to be the national interest.
“No one sent me. I am an elected MP, and I will engage with whoever I believe is necessary for the good of my constituents and the country,” he said.
The debate highlights longstanding divisions within Uganda’s opposition on whether structured engagement with the ruling establishment strengthens democratic space or risks weakening collective bargaining power.