• Ronald Mayinja says he left NUP after feeling betrayed by Bobi Wine.
  • The singer claims he advised Bobi Wine to run for Kampala Lord Mayor instead of president in 2021.
  • Mayinja later joined NRM and even composed a campaign song for President Museveni.

Ugandan singer Ronald Mayinja has finally spoken out about the real reason he abandoned National Unity Platform and crossed over to support President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement.

Mayinja, once among the most outspoken musicians criticizing the Ugandan government, had initially aligned himself with Bobi Wine when the singer-turned-politician entered elective politics as the Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East.

The “Tuli Ku Bunkenke” singer even expressed interest in running for Parliament in Gomba District under the NUP ticket. However, many supporters were shocked when he later switched sides and joined the ruling NRM.

Mayinja went on to compose a campaign song supporting Museveni during the 2021 Ugandan general election, cementing his new political stance.

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Speaking in an interview hosted by media personalities Shalom Kawesi and Frank Ntambi, the singer said the fallout stemmed from a disagreement over strategy ahead of the 2021 election.

“Without sugar-coating it, Bobi Wine betrayed me. I advised him as a friend, but he refused to listen.”

Mayinja revealed that during a meeting attended by a small group at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, he urged Bobi Wine not to run for president in 2021. Instead, he suggested that the opposition leader contest for the Lord Mayor of Kampala seat and build momentum toward a presidential run in 2026.

According to Mayinja, this strategy would have allowed Bobi Wine to continue performing music while strengthening his political base across the country.

“I told him to run for Lord Mayor in 2021, move around the country, entertain people and prepare quietly for the presidency in 2026.”

However, Mayinja claims those present at the meeting interpreted his advice as sabotage. He further alleged that tensions escalated when he discovered that his NUP parliamentary ticket for Gomba had allegedly been sold to raise campaign funds.

Feeling sidelined and betrayed, the singer says he decided to walk away from Bobi Wine’s camp and later joined the ruling NRM.