Top Story: Kassiano Wadri Denies Betraying Bobi Wine as Arua Campaign Heats Up
ARUA — Arua Central Division parliamentary candidate Kassiano Wadri Ezati has strongly dismissed claims that he betrayed Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) by choosing to run as an independent and later under the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Wadri, who won the 2018 Arua Municipality by-election as an independent with the influential support of Kyagulanyi, lost the seat in the 2021 general election as an ANT candidate. As he seeks a comeback on the ANT ticket, he faces renewed public criticism from supporters who accuse him of abandoning the People Power movement that backed his earlier victory.
Wadri Explains Why He Didn’t Join NUP
Addressing a rally in Bazaar Ward, Wadri said the accusations are based on misunderstanding and inaccurate timelines. He clarified that during the 2018 by-election, People Power was a pressure group, not a registered political party.
He detailed the timeline:
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ANT was registered in April 2019
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NUP was registered in August 2019
By then, Wadri said, he had already formally joined ANT.
He further noted that his previous campaigns drew support from leaders across Uganda’s political spectrum.
“When I came to contest here, my friends from different political parties offered me support,” he said, listing FDC, DP, NRM and leaders such as Erias Lubega, Michael Mabikke, Sulaiman Lubowa, Betty Sebufu, Mugisha Muntu, Alice Alaso, and the late Kassiano Acidri.
ANT Leaders Echo Unity in the Opposition
At a joint ANT rally in Arua City, Nezma Ocokoru, the party’s candidate for Arua Central District mayor, said there is no rift between Wadri and Kyagulanyi, insisting that opposition cooperation remains strong.
“We don’t have hatred among ourselves in the opposition,” Ocokoru said. “If we decide to have a leader, we vote for them. No one can intimidate us when we stand behind our chosen leaders.”
Arua Voters Focus on Individuals, Not Parties
The political dynamics in Arua suggest that voters continue to prioritize candidates’ personal track records over party affiliation. Local voter Luisa Avibaku said she has always voted for individuals she trusts rather than aligning with party labels—and intends to maintain that approach in the upcoming election.
