By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena has called for calm and national unity following public criticism and social media debate over National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine’s visit to the grave of former President Dr. Milton Obote in Akokoro, Apac District.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Akena said he found it necessary to “pronounce himself” on the issue, especially after a fake letter purportedly from the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga circulated on social media condemning Kyagulanyi’s gesture. The letter alleges that the gesture was an insult to the Kingdom following its history with the Obote government when he in 1966 ordered the Ugandan army, led by Idi Amin Dada, attacked the Kabaka’s palace (Lubiri) forcing His Highness Sir Edward Muteesa II into exile. The following year (1967), Obote abolished all kingdoms in Uganda further affecting his relationship with Buganda. However, the letter was dismissed by the Kingdom officials as fake and authentic.
“I have seen many comments in different areas, social media and the like. So, I think it’s important that I also pronounce myself on this,” Akena said.
He described leadership as a test of composure, not reaction, warning leaders against being swayed by public noise and emotion.
“Leadership should not be about echoing emotion; it should be about steadying the nation. The test of leadership is not how loudly we respond, but how faithfully we will continue to serve,” Akena said.
He added that his late father’s enduring legacy lies not in political controversy but in the development of institutions that continue to serve Ugandans.
“My father’s legacy in Buganda is not in the arguments of the past, but in the hospitals, the schools, the institutions that continue to serve the people—like Nakaseke, Kiboga, Kayunga, Kawolo and Gomba hospitals, all born from the same national vision,” he said.
Akena dismissed attempts to politicize Kyagulanyi’s gesture as divisive and outdated, saying those “pushing the fire” were simply afraid of his growing political relevance.
“The ones who are pushing this fire, I know who they are, the ones who are scared, the ones who try to make sure that Akena cannot be on the ballot. They want to polarize society. Why do we need that now?” he said.
He urged Ugandans to focus on building a shared future rather than reviving old animosities dating back to the 1966 Buganda Crisis, which saw the Lubiri (Kabaka’s palace) attacked under Obote’s government.
“The conversation today should be about how we can create a future and live together in this Uganda,” Akena said. “Even if we have different political ideologies, Uganda is bigger than all of us.”
He commended Kyagulanyi’s gesture at the Obote grave as a sign of maturity and reconciliation.
“What I demonstrated together with Bobi Wine should be given a good clap. Even if our political ideologies differ, we must have the foresight to look at Uganda as one,” he stated.
Akena also called for honest elections and transparency in the political process.
“I’m not afraid to call out somebody who is not doing straight. And I’ll repeat again, Mr. President, please stop this. Let us have an honest, free election,” Akena said, calling out President Museveni for attempting to block him from contesting for presidency in the 2026 elections.
On criticisms from some Buganda loyalists, Akena reminded the public of his deep ties to the region, calling for mutual respect and reconciliation.
“If the people of Buganda want to ostracize Akena, feel free. I’ve been here 20 years. I’m a child of Buganda. But now we must build a legacy where Ugandans move forward,” he said.
He challenged Ugandans to move beyond propaganda and embrace truth and reconciliation.
“For a long time, we’ve talked about truth and reconciliation. People don’t want truth, they want propaganda and blame. We must move forward as a nation,” Akena said.
