When Prof. Venancious Baryamureeba assumed office as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, he immediately introduced a leadership style that was both unconventional and refreshingly efficient and central to his approach was deliberate student engagement. He worked closely with student leadership particularly; the Guild President, the Vice Presiden and myself as Prime Minister. The flamboyant “Barya” as we fondly called him, was a hands-on administrator. Without fail, every Sunday evening he would call me personally to receive a briefing on student affairs across the University.
One such Sunday evening remains indelibly etched in my memory. After concluding the customary update call with the Vice Chancellor, I began my walk from Kikoni where I had gone to visit a female friend Prossy Nakamya back to my residence at Mitchell Hall. Somewhere near the University Library, my phone rang again and this time from a number beginning with 0772. In our political culture, the prefixes 0772 and 0782 were widely associated with seniority. I picked up the call and the voice on the other end calmly introduced himself; Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba. I was momentarily overwhelmed.
At the time, Owek. Mpuuga served as the Buganda Kingdom’s Youth Minister at Mengo and during our University political days, the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) and Nkobazambogo were virtually inseparable. Much of Nkobazambogo’s active following came from the School of Education; a reality that explained why the eloquent and ever-vocal Rashid Lukwago was the Ssentebe Nkobazambogo at Makerere University. Our General Assemblies, often drawing large numbers, were routinely held on Tuesday evenings at the Guild Canteen.
Due to the heavy demands of Guild leadership and academic responsibilities, I occasionally missed some Nkobazambogo assemblies. Nevertheless, I had assured the Ssentebe that I should always be contacted whenever there was a financial or logistical need. At the time, many young people across Buganda looked up to Owek. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba and Owek. Florence Bagunywa Nkalubo as symbols of principled youth leadership.
Returning to that phone call, our conversation lasted approximately nine (9) minutes. Mpuuga spoke candidly about his ambition to contest for the parliamentary seat in Masaka Municipality. By then, I had been elected a DP youth leader in Nyendo–Ssenyange Division, Masaka District. However, midway through that political journey, Mpuuga opted to run as an independent candidate, citing entrenched bias within the internal structures of the Democratic Party.
At that time, my mother served as the DP Treasurer for Nyendo Ssenyange. We used to meet with Mpuuga’s father during the DP greater Masaka meetings and his mother who was a DP Councilor in Kisekka subcounty. The DP radicals rallied behind Hon. JB Kawanga, who unfortunately lost the election. Kawanga’s defeat was largely attributed to Mpuuga’s formidable political organization. Mpuuga ran a team-based campaign, fielding coordinated Ssuubi candidates who mobilized collectively rather than individually.
By 2016, following Kawanga’s retirement, discussions intensified and Mpuuga formally returned to DP. Even then, internal contradictions persisted and some DP radicals threatened to support an NRM candidate against him.
During this period, I served as the DP Capacity Strengthening Coordinator and deliberately chose to camp in Masaka. Working closely with Mpuuga during this time was both surprising and instructive. Between 2011 and 2016, our paths crossed frequently during major political moments, including the Walk-to-Work protests and the Luweero District, Bukoto South and Butambala by-elections.
During Muwanga Kivumbi’s Butambala by-election, Mpuuga was in charge of Budde Sub-county. I vividly recall meeting him at around 3:00am, sober and methodically chairing a strategic meeting. On the same night, I encountered another Member of Parliament intoxicated in Ngando but that is a story for another day.
In 2014 I invited Mpuuga to my introduction ceremony where he made a monetary contribution but also attended. The same applied to the wedding in 2016 after elections.
Mpuuga’s political strength has always rested on a cohesive team of young intellectuals, many of whom were nurtured through Nkobazambogo. Notably, this team has remained intact over the years, with Mpuuga consistently positioning and empowering its members.
During the most difficult period for DP during the proverbial catch-22 days, I met Mpuuga at Datamine Technical Institute. He struggled to stay awake throughout the meeting, repeatedly apologizing. He later explained that the Bar Course at the Local Development Centre was mentally and physically draining.
In 2016, Mpuuga played a pivotal role in reorganizing DP structures in Masaka. The results were tangible and measurable; Hon. Babirye Kabanda won the Woman MP seat, Jude Mbabaali was elected LCV Chairperson, all Masaka divisions fell under DP leadership to wit;
Nyendo–Ssenyange: Owek. Mulindwa Michael Nakumusana
Katwe–Butego: Denis Lukanga Majwala
Kimaanya–Kabonera: Matia Kakooza
DP narrowly lost Bukoto Central to then Vice President Edward Ssekandi and the Mayoral race to FDC’s Kayemba Afaayo. Our Mayoral candidate Marvin Ssentongo disappeared after nominations and would occasionally fly in from the USA to campaign an approach that was at best impractical!
Mpuuga later invited me to train candidates and agents on vote protection and to work at the Tally Centre. During this process, there were well-coordinated attempts to rig out Hon. Florence Namayanja in Bukoto East. Electoral officials attempted to force Mpuuga, already declared winner to leave the tally centre. He refused, insisting on staying until all results were announced. Namayanja was ultimately declared winner by a margin of only 216 votes.
During the 2021 elections, while serving as an official agent for Hon. Joan Namutaawe, Masaka District Woman Representative, I received credible threats of rigging. NRM operatives intercepted results from Bukakata en route to Kyanamukaaka Tally Centre. I immediately called Mpuuga, who had already been declared winner in Nyendo–Mukungwe. He drove straight to Kyanamukaaka. His mere presence compelled the NRM operatives to abandon their scheme.
Later that year, while traveling to the burial of comrade Dalawusi Katongole in Lwengo, news broke that Mpuuga had been appointed Leader of the Opposition. I called him immediately to congratulate him. True to form, he picked up.
I remain among those deeply impressed by his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, particularly his stewardship of the alternative legislative agenda and shadow budget process. His confidence, intellectual rigor and public presence reshaped perceptions of opposition leadership.
On one occasion, I met him at a salon while carrying flowers for my wife. Curious, he asked what they were for. I told him it was something I made a habit of doing. He laughed and remarked, “Amaka g’abagonvu gawangaala.” I was seeking an appointment for an interview about the 90years of Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere which he granted.
The remarks made by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi at Kavule, while introducing a new Leader of the Opposition resonated deeply with my understanding of who Mpuuga truly is. Someone who gives himself wholly to causes he believes in. Though he has faced turbulence particularly following the service award saga, I have always believed the consequences far exceeded the issue itself.
I have known Mpuuga to be generous by nature, which is why I was never unsettled. I hold particular respect for politicians who maintain loyalty to their inner teams. Mpuuga has retained the same driver since the day we met. This is a rare trait shared only by a few leaders, including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mayor Florence Namayanja and NRM’s Vincent Ssempijja among a very few others. Above all, I have known Mpuuga to mean well for those around him and to act accordingly.
By Elvis Kintu Nsonyi.