John Baptist Nambeshe, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Eastern Region, has distanced himself from the party by boycotting its official mobilization drive in the region.
Nambeshe declined to join fellow National Unity Platform leaders in Mbale on April 14, 2025, for the official mobilization drive. Instead, he held a parallel meeting with Bagishu elders, where he urged them to reject the NUP, raising concerns about regionalism, foreign influence, and the erosion of cultural values.
He accused the party of being overly Buganda-centric, claiming it favors individuals from the central region for key political positions while sidelining other parts of the country. Nambeshe also criticized NUP leader Bobi Wine, alleging that he lacks a clear and actionable plan for the development of the Bugishu region.
“I have been in NUP, and my experience working with Bobi Wine has revealed that the party’s primary motivation is foreign funding and getting rich, Nambeshe stated.
He claimed that these funds come with conditions attached, aimed at facilitating the “recolonization” of Uganda by allowing foreign entities to exploit the country’s mineral resources.
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Nambeshe also raised alarm over the potential erosion of Ugandan culture, alleging that foreign powers are using the NUP to promote homosexuality as a means of controlling population growth.
“They want to control us again by limiting our population increase through the spread of homosexuality,” he warned.
Addressing the elders directly, Nambeshe urged them to carefully consider the politicians they associate with and to openly question their agendas.
“Mind which politicians you associate with and question their agenda openly so as to preserve your heritage and culture,” he advised.
According to sources, Nambeshe has not been participating in the party activities since late last year in October. His grievances with the party started when he was not elected as the leader of the opposition in parliament, a post he believed he well deserved and could have helped improve the Bugisgu region.
“But instead went to someone in central, ignoring the Eastern Region, which has fairly been trying to embrace the NUP party. With this setback for NUP, it is clear that Nambeshe is indeed working with the Patriot League of Uganda (PLU),” stated the source.
The NUP has yet to issue an official response to Nambeshe’s accusations. This development is likely to create significant ripples within the party and could potentially impact its support base in the Eastern Region.
