I SPEAK WHAT OTHERS FEAR!
By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
In 2016, during the historic presidential debate hosted by the late Shaka Sali, Dr. Kizza Besigye shook hands with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The nation watched, and the world understood. Fast forward to 2017, the newly elected Member of Parliament Bobi Wine met and also shook hands with the president. The political stakes were high, but the circumstances dictated the decorum — they were leaders engaging in moments that transcended their political differences.
Fast forward to 2025, the Guild President of Makerere University, James Churchill Ssentamu, is being roasted on the altar of public opinion simply because he met and took a photo with the president while representing students. Really?
Let’s get this straight. The Guild President is the leader of all Makerere students, regardless of their political affiliations. If the Head of State is visiting the university, are people seriously suggesting that the Guild President should hide in the toilet? What madness is this?
Those accusing this young man of betrayal are not protecting any revolutionary ideals — they are simply enemies of his progress. And yes, with exception of his father, who is only trying to appease the National Unity Platform (NUP) crowd. But deep down, even he knows his son did nothing wrong.
When NUP denied James Churchill a party card, they didn’t care whose son he was. It’s only now, after the photo with the president, that they suddenly remember, “Wait, he’s Nyanzi’s son!” Now they want to leverage that as political ammunition. Hypocrisy at its peak. “How can a whole Nyanzi’s son meet the dictator?” they ask.
But I ask: is it better for a young leader to engage with all sides or to walk blindly in partisan bitterness? Leadership is about maturity, not tantrums.
Opposition gets shs13 billion annually via LoP at parliament to fight the ‘dictator’ better,but Churchill is the baddest for sitting with him for a photo,not in Nakasero,but at Makerere,his workstation as a guild president. I know the argument they’re about to bring is that it’s not his money but tax payers’. Ooh yeah,true,but you all know that what a dictator doesn’t want in his government can’t work, no matter what the law says. So,this would be the 1st item he would fight off his budget,but he lets you be, and even gives you police escorts. Hope you still know that it’s his army and police.
Stop hypocrisy and serve national interests.
James Churchill Ssentamu, stand tall. Your handshake did not betray a struggle — it reflected leadership.
