Shs600M NUP ticket scandal? Engineer Stephen Kaweesa accuses Bobi Wine of costly political deal

• Engineer Stephen Kaweesa alleges he paid Shs600 million to secure the NUP ticket for Nansana Municipality MP in 2021.
• He claims the money was raised through bank loans totaling about Shs750 million.
• NUP has not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations.

Engineer and aspiring politician Stephen Kaweesa has made explosive allegations against the Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), claiming he lost about Shs600 million in a failed bid to secure the party ticket for the Nansana Municipality parliamentary race in the general elections.

Speaking during an appearance on Sanyuka TV, where he was hosted alongside Godfrey Kayemba Ssolo, Kaweesi alleged that he was asked to pay large sums of money in exchange for the NUP endorsement.

According to Kaweesi, he was first required to raise Shs400 million, which he says he delivered after borrowing Shs450 million from a bank. Later, he claims he was asked to bring an additional Shs200 million, prompting him to take another loan of Shs300 million to complete the payment.

“I met Bobi Wine through a mediator and he confirmed to me that I would get the ticket after bringing the money,” Kaweesa said during the interview.

However, Kaweesa claims that despite fulfilling the financial demands, he never received the party ticket and his money was never refunded.

When questioned about proof of the payments, Kaweesi admitted he had no documentation or recorded evidence, saying such political deals are often conducted informally.

“Things involving such deals don’t require cameras or paperwork. It’s about trust and taking risks, and that is what I did,” he explained.

Kaweesa says the loans he took to raise the money are now taking a toll on his life, as he struggles to repay them while some of his properties are reportedly at risk of being auctioned.

He also questioned how Zambali Bulasio Mukasa—eventually secured the NUP ticket for Nansana Municipality, claiming he believes the amount he personally paid was higher than what others could afford.

Kaweesa further said he accumulated his wealth through business deals and risk-taking, which allowed him to raise the money he claims was paid during the vetting process.

While similar allegations about money being solicited during NUP’s vetting process have surfaced in the past, the party has not yet issued an official response to Kaweesi’s claims.

Meanwhile, reactions on social media remain divided, with some users demanding evidence from Kaweesa while others urge authorities to investigate the allegations.