Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, popularly known as Jicho Pevu, has made it clear that he won’t apologize for associating with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, even as he hinted at parting ways with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Speaking on Monday, Ali criticized a section of UDA leadership for trying to isolate him over his perceived closeness to Gachagua, claiming that there are plans afoot to block him from running on the party’s ticket in the 2027 general elections.
“In some of their texts, they call me ‘that guy for Wamunyoro’—yes, that’s me,” he said.
“There’s nothing wrong with having a friend. Gachagua was part of our team, he campaigned for UDA, and he served as our Deputy President. Just because he’s out of office doesn’t mean I can’t have tea with him.”
His remarks come just days after he and his political allies pulled out of UDA’s grassroots elections, citing a lack of transparency and inclusivity in the process.
Ali also expressed concern that founding supporters of the party were being sidelined in favor of political newcomers.
“UDA, like any political party, belongs to the people—not to any one individual, no matter their title,” he said.
This isn’t the first time the vocal legislator has broken ranks with his party’s leadership.
In October 2024, Ali revealed that he had refused to support the impeachment motion against Gachagua. At the time, he argued the charges were politically motivated and unfair to a leader he believed had contributed significantly to the country.
“I read the impeachment motion thoroughly and couldn’t in good faith support it. It was clearly intended to malign a public servant,” he said then.
His growing alignment with Gachagua may complicate his political future, especially within UDA, where allies of the former DP have faced mounting pressure.
Following Gachagua’s ouster, many of his supporters lost their positions in powerful parliamentary committees during a major reshuffle in March 2025—an unmistakable signal of his waning influence.
