By The Guild President of Makerere University and son of Fred Nyanzi the NUP head of mobilisation, James Churchill Ssentamu, has defended his appearance alongside President Yoweri Museveni at a recent campus event, saying he was fulfilling his official duty as student leader, not endorsing any political agenda.
Following online backlash over photos that went viral, Ssentamu says the images are being misused by opportunists to create a false narrative. He maintains that as head of a public institution, he will continue engaging all stakeholders including government leaders to advocate for students’ interests and hold them accountable.
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The images, taken during the official launch of Makerere’s Research and Innovation Week, sparked outrage across social media and provoked sharp reactions from fellow students, the public and even his own family. Critics interpreted the pictures as a betrayal of the values upheld by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), to which his family is deeply connected.
Among the most vocal critics was Ssentamu’s father, Mr. Fred Nyanzi, NUP head of mobilisation and elder brother to party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine).
In a widely circulated video, Nyanzi condemned his son’s actions, describing them as a “betrayal to Ugandans,” and demanded a public apology. He further alleged that the moment was orchestrated by ruling party operatives to score political mileage. “If the pressure is too much, resign from leadership,” Nyanzi added, reminding his son of the family’s long-standing political stance against the Museveni regime.
However, Churchill Ssentamu has defended his actions, saying the encounter was strictly official and occurred in the line of duty as head of the university’s student body, which represents more than 32,000 learners.
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He clarified that the event was an academic one, attended by the President in his constitutional role as head of state under Article 99(3).
“These pictures were taken while I was performing my official duties as Guild President,” Ssentamu explained. “Unfortunately, some individuals are distorting the context to spread falsehoods for personal gain. This has affected not just me, but also my family and fellow students.”
Ssentamu insisted that effective leadership requires engagement with all stakeholders, including those ones we may not politically agree with. “It is my duty to question, follow up with, and even hold Gen. Museveni accountable,” he said. “Avoiding that duty would make me a populist—not a true leader.”
He also addressed those who viewed his conduct as inconsistent with opposition values. “As a moralist, I too am disturbed by the injustices in this country,” he said. “But leadership sometimes requires working with people across the divide in pursuit of institutional progress.”
Calling for calm and maturity in public discourse, Ssentamu appealed to Ugandans not to involve his family in the backlash. “My family has always stood against oppression. These photos should not be misread as a betrayal but as a demonstration of the difficult balance between personal conviction and public responsibility.”
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