Former Common Man’s Party presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga has claimed that the recent actions of former National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flag bearer Robert Kyagulanyi are part of a coordinated “insider project” with a “well-defined script” intended to ultimately favour President Museveni.
Speaking during a televised interview on Sanyuka One on One, Munyagwa, popularly known as “Mugati gwa Butter,” alleged that Kyagulanyi’s current political posture is deliberate and calculated.
“This is an insider project with a well-defined script aimed at favoring President Museveni. What I can tell is that Kyagulanyi will return to the country after President Museveni is sworn in,” he said.
Munyagwa, who contested in the same presidential race and finished seventh with 31,666 votes (0.29 percent), also recounted his post-election experience, claiming he faced irregular treatment by state authorities.
“After the elections I traveled to Somalia, arriving via Egal International Airport in Hargeisa. I was denied entry on the grounds that I am a politically exposed person. Notably, I only received my passport from the ISO upon arrival in Entebbe,” he said.
He further dismissed Kyagulanyi’s period in hiding as exaggerated, suggesting it was part of a broader propaganda strategy.
“Over the past two months where he was supposedly hiding from security forces, Kyagulanyi has been safe—he even managed to attend the Geneva Convention. His frequent appearances in rugged clothing and with a poorly shaven beard is simply theatrical. Having studied propaganda, I believe this is a deliberate tactic,” he said.
Munyagwa’s remarks come days after Kyagulanyi announced a temporary departure from Uganda after more than eight weeks of operating from undisclosed locations.
In a video shared on social media, Kyagulanyi said he intends to engage with international partners and the diaspora to push for targeted sanctions and raise awareness about the election outcome.
“I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work. Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends in the diaspora before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy,” Kyagulanyi said.
During his absence, Kyagulanyi appointed NUP Vice President for Western Uganda, Lina Zedriga Waru, as acting party president.
Kyagulanyi, who says he went into hiding a day after the January 15 polls, has maintained that he evaded “snatch squads” amid what he described as a heavy military deployment around his residence in Magere.
“The regime has looked for me everywhere. They have raided the homes of many colleagues; they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me,” he said.
Since the election, Kyagulanyi has rejected the results, accusing the Electoral Commission of manipulating the process and declaring results without mandatory declaration forms.
He has, however, opted not to challenge the outcome in court, citing lack of confidence in the judiciary, and instead called for peaceful protests.
Government officials have consistently denied allegations of political persecution. The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said the state has no intention of arresting or harming the opposition leader, while Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja urged Kyagulanyi to return home.
Responding to remarks attributed to Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Baryomunsi reiterated that security deployments around Kyagulanyi’s Magere residence are meant to maintain order and prevent unrest, not to detain him.
Police have also maintained that their presence at the residence is for security purposes and will remain until Kyagulanyi returns.