National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has reacted to remarks from commissioner of parliament Mathias Mpuuga, in which he branded NUP leaders as marijuana smokers and drunkards.

While addressing the press on Friday at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Bobi Wine said ‘the world knows our history’, saying that Mpuuga joined NUP well knowing where they (NUP) had come from.

Bobi said the alleged marijuana smokers and drunkards voted for Mpuuga as Leader of Opposition and later as Commissioner of Parliament, but when they rebuked him over the UGX 500 million service award, it was when he remembered that they are marijuana smokers.

“You came and joined marijuana smokers, and they voted you as deputy president to deputize a marijuana smoker. They also made you Leader of Opposition. The same marijuana smokers also voted you as a commissioner,” he said.

Adding, “When you stole and they (marijuana smokers) told you they don’t tolerate theft, then you branded them as marijuana smokers.” 

The NUP party president said the remarks by Mpuuga only disclose his character and urged his followers to raise their children well so that they uphold good character and morals.

Commissioner of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga, in a speech at an event in Mityana District that has since been seen as an attack on his party president and NUP leadership, said leaders must be sober all the time. He said President Museveni, whom his party wants to overthrow, doesn’t smoke or drink.

“Anyone who wants to be a leader must remain sober 24 hours a day and pay close attention to current events. You cannot aspire to lead the country and make changes if you are a drunkard. The person (Museveni) you aim to overthrow does not smoke, does not go to bars, does not booze, and doesn’t even drink wine,” he said.

The rift between Mpuuga and Bobi Wine has kept escalating over time. The two felt out when Mpuuga was publicly rebuked by the NUP for accepting the parliamentary service award, which was seen as an act of corruption by party president Robert Kyagulanyi.