The National Unity Platform (NUP) diaspora community has voiced their disappointment in their leadership over the purchase of low-cost vehicles despite being given UGX 1.5 billion for the purchase of strong and durable vehicles for mobilization.
This decision comes after the party leadership, spearheaded by Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of Opposition MPs who is also the MP for Nakawa West, purchased four Toyota Noah vans to be used as service vans for mobilization countywide.
Dr. Daniel Kavuma, a member of the diaspora team, expressed his disappointment over the manner in which funds are spent in NUP after they have literally spent millions to advance to the party.
Kavuma, who accused the NUP leadership of mismanaging funds, claims that Bobi Wine and Ssenyonyi were previously in the diaspora, where they received substantial funding to run the party and mobilize for 2026. However, it now appears that the diaspora chapter were deceived into offering financial support.
“It is quite hard to always solicit funds from our colleagues here in the Diaspora and other sources, but when funds are advanced and sent to the party leadership, they end up doing the opposite of what they requested the funds for,” Dr. Kavuma said.
Kavuma went on to reveal that they advanced NUP leadership with UGX. 1.5 billion and agreed that 20 vehicles in the shape of kamunye should be purchased to be used as service vans for mobilization.
However, according to Kavuma, to their disappointment, they saw NUP leadership parading only four small Toyota Noahs, which can take up to 7 people instead of vehicles that carry at least 14 people which they had agreed upon.
“We demand that our leaders give full accountability of the UGX 1.5 billion and also stop misappropriating funds meant for the running of the party,” Kavuma stated.
He also reported that this move undermines the trust and expectations they have placed in their leaders, who were anticipated to make more strategic financial decisions.
The criticism highlights a growing sentiment within the diaspora that the leadership is not adequately addressing the needs and aspirations of its supporters and is working for personal gain.
Leadership within the NUP has yet to respond to the backlash; however, supporters remain eager for clarification on the rationale behind the vehicle purchases and the accountability for the allocated funds.