Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), has appointed Lina Zedriga as the acting party president while he flies out of the country to escape mounting criticism. The appointment letter, dated March 3, 2023, was addressed to Zedriga and copied to all party members and the National Executive Committee.
Under article 7(1) (g) of the party constitution, Bobi Wine officially appointed Zedriga, who serves as the party’s vice president in charge of the Northern region, to assume the role of acting president for ten days starting from March 5 to March 15, 2024. This move raises questions about past instances when Bobi Wine traveled without appointing an acting president. What makes this trip different?
Critics argue that Bobi Wine’s hasty decision to order Mpuuga’s resignation has sparked this ongoing controversy. They question why Bobi Wine did not advise Mpuuga to step aside voluntarily while investigations took place, instead of rushing to remove him from the position. This backlash has left Bobi Wine and the NUP in a defensive position, with many perceiving the leader as politically inexperienced and immature.
Analysts have further suggested that Bobi Wine’s actions stem from selfish motivations and insecurity. They believe that Mpuuga’s considerable following in both the central region and Buganda kingdom, coupled with his respected leadership, pose a threat to Bobi Wine’s position as Party president. Consequently, Bobi Wine aims to oust Mpuuga from the party, ensuring his own authority remains unchallenged.
As of now, Mpuuga has remained steadfast and refuses to resign from his commissioner role. The party lacks the authority to remove him from his position, leaving Bobi Wine with no choice but to call for a meeting among party leadership to discuss Mpuuga’s removal as the Vice President of the central region, followed by expulsion from the party.
Sources indicate that NUP plans to submit a motion in parliament, initiated by Leader of Opposition Joel Senyonyi, to declare Mpuuga’s alleged 500 million Ugandan shillings as illicit funds requiring reimbursement. Mpuuga’s resignation from his commissioner position appears to be the party’s desired outcome.
Bobi Wine has received considerable backlash for his recent actions; thus, this time, he intends to distance himself from the decision by relying on Lina Zedriga to handle the Mpuuga affair while he is out of the country. However, regardless of the outcome, Bobi Wine will likely shoulder the blame. Observers perceive this as a carefully orchestrated plan to uproot Mpuuga from the party’s ranks. Consequently, many wonder if this controversial move signifies the beginning of the end for the NUP.
