Basalirwa fires back at Bobi Wine over Bugiri decampaign: “I’m one of the best performing MPs, not a hypocrite”

• Basalirwa defends his track record, ranking among the top six best-performing MPs of the 11th Parliament.

• He highlights efforts including defending Muslims in court, funding Bugiri Hospital, and introducing impactful bills like the Islamic Courts and Anti-Counterfeit bills.

• Basalirwa says Bobi Wine blocked him from communication and criticizes NUP’s decampaign against him as misguided.

The MP for Bugiri Municipality, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, has hit back hard at National Unity Platform (NUP) President Bobi Wine over recent comments made during his campaign in the area. Addressing large crowds, Bobi Wine urged voters to oust Basalirwa from Parliament, accusing him of hypocrisy and being “a double-edged sword.”

Speaking on the Morning Xpress program on Sanyuka TV, hosted by Adam Kungu, Basalirwa dismissed the claims, highlighting the challenges Bugiri has faced under the NRM government.

“Bugiri is one of the areas most negatively affected by government policies,” Basalirwa said. “Many Muslims are languishing in prison, accused of links to the ADF. I have been the one constantly going to court to defend them. These cases have existed for over a decade, long before Bobi Wine entered Parliament.”

He continued, “It defeats my logic why NUP and Bobi Wine would launch a decampaign against me. I am one of the best performing MPs of the 11th Parliament.”

Basalirwa cited several of his achievements, including lobbying for $20 million in government funding for Bugiri Hospital. He noted that after Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act—a move he supported—the US cut off aid, prompting him to advise alternative funding avenues.

“The government listened, and we borrowed the funds from Arab Banking. This is progress we cannot ignore.”

The JEEMA president also highlighted bills he has introduced, such as the Islamic Courts Bill and the Anti-Counterfeit Bill, which he says are making tangible impacts on Ugandans.

“I have consistently ranked among the top six best-performing MPs this term. If Kyagulanyi comes to Bugiri to decampaign me, he clearly does not understand whom the people or the party want to endorse,” Basalirwa said.

On whether he has attempted dialogue with Bobi Wine, Basalirwa revealed: “He blocked me everywhere. I have no personal issue with him, but NUP and Bobi Wine’s team have been consistently attacking me. This is not the first time.”