A question hangs over the leadership dynamics within the National Unity Platform (NUP) as Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe) voices concerns about the direction of the party, stating that it seems to be veering off course while the party claims otherwise.
Mpuuga, also the Deputy President of Buganda, clarified that he hasn’t left the NUP despite what some may insinuate.
He is raising concerns about issues such as corruption within party ranks, inefficiencies in governance, deviations from the party’s founding principles, and failure to fulfill campaign promises.
However, NUP spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro countered, stating, “That leader talks about corruption as if he hasn’t been part of it, and we know what he did during the election campaigns. He received funds from the party, but instead, he and his supporters spent it extravagantly. He also failed to deliver his promises to his constituents, and he’s even struggling to pay back a loan of 500 million Ugandan shillings.”
While Mpuuga has not officially resigned from the party, his remarks suggest that he may be considering a departure, as indicated by reports from insiders. However, he insists that his concerns are not primarily about money but about the party’s failure to live up to its ideals.
“It’s not just about the money; we shouldn’t dwell solely on social media campaigns,” Mpuuga emphasized.
Regarding his standing within NUP, Mufumbiro remarked, “Every member has the right to express dissatisfaction, and he’s exercising it, but let it be clear that he’s only a delegate, not the owner of the party. Even during our meetings in Kakiri, his faction from the Democratic Party (DP) was not present.”
The tension escalated further when Mpuuga and other DP members, following an altercation during a party caucus, were suspended from the party until further notice.
At present, Mpuuga seems hesitant to leave NUP due to the legal complexities involved in switching parties and the potential loss of his parliamentary seat.
Matters came to a head when Mpuuga and several others from the Democratic Party (DP) failed to attend a crucial meeting called by the NUP leadership, causing speculation about their allegiance.
The rift between Mpuuga and some NUP officials intensified after the party’s leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, called for those dissatisfied with NUP’s direction to leave and create their own political platform.
Mpuuga’s presence at a recent press conference was notable alongside fellow lawmakers Abed Bwanika (Kimaanya-Kabonera), Joyce Bagala (Mukazi/Mityana), and Fred Kayondo (Mukono South), although they left before its conclusion.
Charles Tebandeke (Bbaale) reminded Mpuuga that being a party leader doesn’t make him immune to criticism as the party adheres to its constitution.
However, Luttamaguzi Ssemakula (Nakaseke South) criticized Mpuuga’s reluctance to accept party directives, stating, “He’s supposed to follow party orders, but he behaves as if the party is a burden to him, defying its resolutions.”
Professor Sabiti Makara, a political science lecturer at Makerere University, advised NUP members to address these challenges internally rather than seeking external solutions.
