Fred Nyanzi, also known as Chairman Nyanzi—Bobi Wine’s brother and Head of Mobilization for the National Unity Platform (NUP)—has expressed his deep disappointment with his son, Ssentamu Churchill James, the Guild President of Makerere University. This comes after Churchill shared a photo with President Yoweri Museveni, which has sparked a heated debate on social media.
On Tuesday, a photo of Churchill alongside President Museveni and other student leaders surfaced online, quickly going viral. Many social media users were left questioning why a nephew of opposition leader Bobi Wine would choose to pose for a photo with Museveni, given the political tension between the two figures.
While the photo caused an uproar, some defended Churchill, arguing that, as the Guild President, he had no choice but to appear in the photo with the president. Museveni was visiting Makerere University to launch the Research and Innovations Week, an event that brought together various student leaders.
However, Chairman Nyanzi, visibly upset, released a video expressing his displeasure. In the video, he emphasized that many Ugandans, who are pushing for change, have every reason to feel let down by his son’s actions.
“My son, the man you took a photo with has caused me, your uncle Bobi Wine, and many Ugandans immense suffering. He has arrested and tortured us. It is painful that you chose to stand with him in that photo,” Nyanzi lamented.
Chairman Nyanzi went on to call for accountability, urging his son to publicly apologize for the incident. He added that, if Churchill does not apologize, he should resign from his position as Guild President and focus solely on his academic responsibilities.
Ssentamu Churchill James, the 91st Guild President of Makerere University, was elected on an independent ticket after the NUP’s pressure group, People Power, endorsed Ismail Basalirwa in the guild race.
