Joseph Kabuleta, the embattled president of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party, is currently stranded after being suspended from his position as both Party President and National Chairperson. The decision, reached by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), follows allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
In a formal letter issued by the NEED Party Secretariat dated August 1, 2025, the NEC outlined a series of accusations against Kabuleta, leading to his 90-day suspension. Among the key issues raised was his self-declaration as the party’s presidential flag bearer for 2026—done without the approval of the NEC or National Delegates Conference. This, the committee says, violated internal party procedures and undermined party democracy.
Other allegations against Kabuleta include:
* Expelling party members without due process, and branding others as “Rwandese” or “Banyarwanda,” which the committee described as divisive and offensive.
* Arbitrary termination and attempted eviction from party offices, without accountability or communication to party leadership.
* Persistent absence from NEC meetings since he assumed office, suggesting negligence of duty.
* Misuse of party funds with no financial disclosures or transparency.
* Organizing a separate delegates’ conference without involvement of the official party executive, effectively creating a parallel faction within the party.
* Attempting to relocate the party’s offices without NEC consent, and personalizing the party as if it were his private entity.
The party also accused him of undermining the role of elected NEC members, calling them imposters and disregarding their authority.
In Kabuleta’s absence, the Deputy Party President has been directed to act on his behalf for the duration of the suspension. The party has emphasized that this move is intended to protect its institutional integrity and restore proper governance within its ranks.
Kabuleta has not yet publicly responded to the suspension.
