The National Unity Party (NUP) has faced backlash and a boycott during its recent convention held in Chicago, United States, on Friday, August 9, 2024.
The controversy stems from the party’s connections to convicted criminal Bob Mendez, whose past criminal activities have raised serious concerns among many funders and supporters of the opposition NUP party living in the US.
Richard Lubega, a renowned NUP stalwart in the diaspora, said most mobilizers boycotted the event due to the mystery surrounding Mendez’s financial dealings with top party leaders.
“The NUP convention, which was intended to rally support and outline future strategies, miserably flopped after it was boycotted by key party figures who distanced themselves from the association with Mendez,” Lubega said.
He argued that the party’s ties to the convicted individual undermine its credibility and commitment to integrity.
Other sources revealed that prominent activists and political commentators NUP leadership should have taken a firmer stance against Mendez’s influence.
“It’s unacceptable for a party that claims to represent the values of the people to be associated with a criminal who has tarnished our reputation and expect us to fund and associate with it,” the source said.
Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, the NUP party leader, and other party officials attempted to downplay the significance of Mendez’s connections, asserting that the party is focused on its mission to unite and serve the community.
However, the damage appears to have been done, with many attendees choosing to boycott the event entirely.
Political analysts suggest that this incident could have lasting implications for the NUP, since they have never offered any explanation concerning their convicted key funder, Mendez.
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey was found guilty on 16 counts tied to a scheme where he accepted bribes, including gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for helping foreign governments. He had been a top funder of NUP political activities in Uganda and around the Globe to uninstall the NRM regime in Kampala.
A jury convicted Menendez of all charges after more than 12 hours of deliberation over three days. Menendez – formerly the head of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee – now faces the prospect of decades in prison.
Just last week, a rowdy supporter of NUP in Ottawa, Canada, was treated to a free ideological lecture of opportunity by Uganda’s Envoy to Canada, Amb. Joy Ruth Aceng, and top NRM Cadre, Lilly Obina.
Trouble for the group erupted when they forcefully attempted to block a peaceful procession by the NRM cadres to celebrate the 38 years of achievements of President Yoweri Museveni.
Amb. Aceng and Obina bravelyconfronted and successfully schooled the radical group to own and observe other people’s rights as much as they claimed to have been oppressed.
