The Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the 11th parliament of Uganda Hon. Matthias Mpuuga is overwhelmed by his National Unity Platform (NUP) colleagues attacks and backstabbing which has left him with no other option but to think of vacating the LOP seat in order to spare his life.
Mpuuga’s resignation was revealed by the senior public affairs officer at the parliament of Uganda Mr. Sadab Kitatta.
“The leader of opposition offers to resign from the position and the Nyendo-Mukungwe parliamentary seat after fellow Nup leaders and daily monitor unveiled his secrets of multiple negotiations with the state concerning the release of the two NUP MPs,” Kitatta said.
However, while speaking on CBS radio on Thursday 16th February 2023 on the political show, LOP revealed that the reason he is thinking of retiring is because a number of NUP supporters were misguided into attacking him stating that he is under attack.
“There those who don’t ask who they attack, those who don’t know how to use their weapon, and those who don’t know the journey they are in and those with weapons just fire,” he said.
Leader of opposition warned his comrades in NUP and their supporters against bad mouthing him stating that none of them has full authority to determine who he should speak to, when and how or else they will be led by someone else.
“I want to tell the people we lead that you don’t have authority to disrespect your leaders because you are being misled by someone else,” he said.
He also encouraged NUP members of parliament to imitate him and listen and work with everyone regardless of the political ideological differences.
The criticisms have intensified since the release of the two NUP legislators Muhammad Ssegirinya of Kawempe North and Allan Ssewanyana of Makindye west on cash bail of 20 million each. Nup camps accuse embattled Mpuuga of betraying the party when he bargained with the state to initiate the process of release of the duo MPs.
On Monday 13th February 2023 while speaking on Pearl FM’s political talk show, NUP deputy spokesperson Waisswa Mufumbiro said that Mpuuga took a big number of opposition MPs to state house to meet President Museveni where several negotiations were made.
On Wednesday 14th February 2023, a local publication leaked a story titled “How MPs Ssegirinya,Ssewanyana walked to freedom.” In the article, highly placed sources said that the protracted negotiations over the accused law makers were spearheaded by Mpuuga which was an act of betrayal according to NUP leaders.
The growing tensions between Mpuuga and other NUP leaders are said to be the reason to why he is considering giving up his LOP position in parliament.
