The corridors of the political world in Uganda are filled with whispers of a brewing family rift after Fred Nyanzi, the National Chief Campaign Mobilizer for the National Unity Platform (NUP), publicly called out his son, Ssentamu Churchill James, over his controversial ties with President Yoweri Museveni.
The fallout from their growing disagreement has not only stirred political tensions but has left many wondering whether this could signal a permanent fracture within the Nyanzi family.
Fred Nyanzi, a vocal critic of Museveni and a key figure in the opposition, has spent years campaigning against the president’s rule. However, his public warning to his son to distance himself from the “bloody dictator” has raised more questions than answers.
The Nyanzi family, long viewed as staunch opponents of Museveni, is now at the center of a controversy that many believe could have been avoided.
In a heartfelt and frustrated message, shared that he only learned of his son’s connection with Museveni after the photos went viral.
“I was shocked when I saw my son with him. This is not just about one picture, it’s about the message it sends,” he said.
While the political implications are clear, this situation carries a deeply personal weight.
The Ssentamu family has long been associated with resistance to Museveni’s regime, and many within the opposition have placed their trust in the family’s unwavering commitment to the cause.
But now, with Ssentamu rising as a young leader at Makerere University and aligning, even briefly, with the president, puts that trust to the test.
Could this represent a growing divide within the family? Nyanzi’s remarks suggest a father who is deeply concerned not only about his son’s political decisions but also about the future of their family’s political legacy.
In his TikTok video, Fred Nyanzi pleaded with his son to denounce his ties with Museveni publicly, apologize to NUP members, and possibly step down from his university position. This plea suggests a father not only fearful of losing his son to the allure of power but also worried about what that would mean for the family’s integrity in the eyes of the public.
It seems more of a coincidence that Nyanzi’s fatherly warning comes at a time Ssentamu’s political journey is gaining traction. Having secured the role of Guild President at Uganda’s oldest university with 3,459 votes, defeating the NRM’s John Bosco Rukundo.
This win cemented the young man’s career as a rising star in Ugandan politics however, the recent turn of events has caused a rift within his supporters, some of whom feel disillusioned by his apparent shift in allegiance.
Aiden Kaliisa, a prominent NUP enthusiast questioned Ssentamu’s social media activity during the height of the #FreeNyanzi movement, when his father was imprisoned.
While his supporters were rallying for Fred Nyanzi’s release, Ssentamu seemed to pivot in a different direction, praising Museveni’s allies, including First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his “generational leader.”
“While everyone was posting #FreeNyanzi, your son was busy posting and praising Muhoozi as his generational leader. You didn’t say anything. Why speak up now?” Kaliisa posted on his X.
For now, these questions reflect deeper concerns about discipline within the party and whether family connections should shield individuals from accountability.
