A heated political storm has erupted after Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) dragged the government to the High Court, accusing Justice Minister Norbert Mao of deliberately cutting them off from billions of shillings in political party funding. The party says the move is a calculated attempt to cripple their activities ahead of the 2026 general elections.
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, the decision to block their access to statutory funds is not only unfair but also illegal. He accuses Mao of issuing an unlawful directive to the Electoral Commission on August 25, ordering that only IPOD-affiliated parties receive government cash.
Rubongoya told the court that NUP, as Uganda’s second-largest political party, has been receiving its share of the Political Parties Fund since 2021. He explained that the sudden freeze has left the party struggling to organize activities and prepare for the nomination of their presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
“We have been unfairly and unjustifiably excluded. This is a deliberate scheme to weaken us,” Rubongoya stated, adding that the financial block is meant to frustrate the opposition’s campaigns.
Government lawyers, however, have dismissed NUP’s petition as “baseless and politically motivated.” The Attorney General’s office requested time to file a full response, while Electoral Commission lawyer Eric Sabiiti called the case “a waste of court time,” arguing that NUP’s troubles stem from their refusal to join the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
The controversy arises from the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2025, which now ties access to government funding to IPOD membership. During the recent IPOD summit at Kololo on September 18, President Museveni and leaders from DP, FDC, UPC, JEEMA, and NRM shared billions in state funding—leaving NUP with nothing.
NUP leaders have described the move as “blackmail,” accusing Mao of weaponizing the law to force the party into IPOD. They insist that joining IPOD would compromise their independence and make them appear submissive to the ruling regime. “We will not sell our principles for money,” one senior NUP official remarked.
The case has been assigned to Justice Collins Accellam, who is set to hear it on October 10. His ruling will determine whether NUP gets access to the billions or remains cut off from public funding during the crucial months before the 2026 election season.
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Political analysts say the case could shape Uganda’s political future. With NUP considered the country’s strongest opposition party, the lack of funds could cripple its ability to hold rallies, conduct voter outreach, and compete fairly against the well-funded ruling NRM.
As Ugandans wait for the court’s decision, the debate continues over whether government funding should be tied to IPOD membership or given fairly to all registered political parties. For now, Bobi Wine’s NUP stands firm—crying foul and demanding what they call “their rightful share of Museveni’s billions.”
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