Who is David Lewis Rubongoya? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, relationship with Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Joel Ssenyonyi, Kampala Central MP and early life of Ugandan lawyer, politician and University lecturer.
David Lewis Rubongoya is a Ugandan lawyer, Teacher, Executive Secretary People Power, and the Secretary-General National Unity Platform (NUP).
Rubongoya was formerly a great supporter and the National Resistance Movement campaigner before joining NUP Party.
Rubongoya is one of the founding members of the People Power Movement and the NUP Party. He has been on its leadership right from the start.
However, Rubongoya believes one time they will write books about the foundation of the movement, God willing.
Early Life and Education
David Lewis Rubongoya attended Makerere University graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB), then a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC), Kampala.
Then from 2014-2015, Rubongoya attended Harvard Law School where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M.)
Work and Experience
David Lewis Rubongoya loves working and empowering young people. He’s a member of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the East African Law Society.
He resigned from three well-paying jobs to be able to openly associate with People Power, which has always been in his blood since its inception.
Rubongoya served the NRM for a very long time and many believed he still belonged to the NRM after he crossed over to the People Power Movement now National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine and branded him a spy.
According to him, his support for the NRM was never premised on anything else except conviction.
“Like Malcolm X said, you would be rather wrong in sincerity than be right in hypocrisy. Like several Ugandans, I supported NRM genuinely when I did. Firstly, this was before I fully understood the extent to which its leaders long abandoned its professed values and principles. Secondly, I thought perhaps they would realize the importance of having a transition in its rank and file and have an opportunity to find themselves. Very unfortunate, that did not happen. Instead, they veered off course even further.”
Rubongoya in 2016 concluded that the NRM fellows only care about what each one of them can grab in the shortest period than what the country can achieve.
He added that the removal of the presidential age limit was a gateway for him to quit the NRM party.
Rubongoya narrates that he wrote down an article in the New Vision explaining his experience running for EALA seat under NRM characterized by corruption, greed, sectarianism, and unprincipled leadership.
This happened in 2016 after Rubongoya unsuccessfully contested for a seat to represent Uganda at the regional parliament, the East Africa Legislative Assembly. He performed badly in the NRM primaries.
However, no NRM leader wished to listen, not even make an effort to refocus the party on its professed principles. And when they advanced the idea to scrap the age limit, Rubongoya was much disappointed.
Earlier, President Museveni openly said that it was a bad idea for someone to lead beyond 75 years of age, a statement he violated later.
When Rubongoya realized that the NRM were serious about the matter, he left the party and joined the People Power Movement.
Rubongoya joins Kyagulanyi
Rubongoya’s admiration for Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert and his decision to work with him began four years back.
This was in 2016 he met Bobi Wine in a classroom when he had just joined Law School at the International University of East Africa (IUEA), where he was lecturing.
At the time, Rubongoya was teaching Bobi Wine Constitutional Law. The two had a very long discussion about Uganda, but he had not yet joined elective politics.
Nevertheless, Rubongoya said in him he saw a person who passionately loved and cared for his country and its people. Also, he realized that Bobi Wine was an extremely intelligent man whose level of analysis was astounding.
Rubongoya narrates that Bobi Wine’s ability to simplify otherwise complex concepts for the benefit of his audience was great. He was as well frightened that he had refused to let fame, money and power take over him as it had happened to some many Ugandans.
“Even when he was this powerful celebrity, his passion for the common person was uncommon.”
Most times, the two discussed and debated issues affecting this country, and the times they drove together, Bobi Wine could not stop pointing out that Uganda deserves better, according to Rubongoya.
The two disagreed on some issues and agreed on some. In this, they realized that they had a role to play in saving the situation going on in Uganda.
“It was not enough for me to teach about constitutionalism and good governance in a classroom. It was not enough for him to just sing about the evils that bedevil our country. We had a role to play.”
Rubongoya is interested in constitutional law, democratization, policy analysis, and access to justice for all, human rights, good governance as well as public international law and international criminal justice.
Upon joining People Power Movement, David Lewis Rubongoya was branded to be an NRM spy.
Rubongoya had to deal with claims that he is a mole for the NRM, the party he has been previously known to belong to from his days at Makerere University where he was a students’ guild speaker.
Rubongoya revealed that he was one of the people “that have always worked behind the scenes to grow the movement and give it direction” because “not all of us must be on the frontline at the same time.”
Rubongoya Bid for Kampala Central MP Seat
There was a wave of excitement outside the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters as David Lewis Rubongoya, the party’s Secretary General, made his intentions clear: he wants to represent Kampala Central in Parliament come 2026.
Flanked by fellow aspirants—Moses Kataabu, eyeing the city’s mayoral seat, and ex-Kampala Mayor Charles Sserunjogi—Rubongoya handed in his expression of interest forms before a spirited crowd of party faithful.
In a brief address to reporters and supporters, Rubongoya promised a fresh vision for the capital, vowing to shake up what he described as a system weighed down by elitism and poor leadership.
“I believe I can serve both as Secretary General of our great party and as Member of Parliament,” he said, brushing off concerns about balancing both roles. “I’ve always multitasked, and this won’t be any different.”
The move marks the start of what could be a high-stakes race in one of the most closely watched urban constituencies. Kampala Central is currently held by Muhammad Nsereko, a political figure known for his independent streak.
Rubongoya’s entry is expected to galvanize NUP’s urban base, particularly among the youth and first-time voters drawn to the party’s message of change.
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