There’s a huge rift emerging among Buganda region National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders following the suspension of the party’s mobilisation campaign dubbed ‘Kunga’, in Masaka region by the party’s Deputy President for Buganda, Mathias Mpuuga.
Mpuuga, who was recently dropped by NUP President Robert Kyagulanya from the Leader of Opposition (LOP) post, suspended Kunga activities from the Masaka region during a retreat of party leaders from the region, where he urged that the mobilisation drive was undermining party leaders and pushing away potential new members.
Kunga activities include mobilising youth to express their dissatisfaction with the current government through civil disobedience, using any means at disposal to cause regime change, and recruiting new members into the party, among others.
According to Mpuuga, these activities cannot build an accommodating political party that will bring positive change and last for generations. “It is time for us NUP members to align ourselves and attract new people to join the party, even though there are politicians within us who have been trying to spread politics of hatred,” he said while announcing the suspension.
However, Faridah Nabatanzi, the coordinator of Kunga in the Buganda region, expressed dismay with Mpuuga’s decision, saying that ever since he was dropped from the position of LOP, he has harboured ill intentions towards the party.
“Mpuuga’s decision to suspend Kunga activities in greater Masaka is regrettable and shows his ill intentions against the party. We stand by our commitment to NUP and its values,” said Nabatanzi.
Nabatanzi, who has Kyagulanyi’s backing, asserts that the mobilisation activities will continue despite the suspension, and Mpuuga cannot stand in their way of using all the available means to cause regime change.
But Mpuuga insists he was tasked by the party president to address leadership issues in Buganda region, thus justifying the decision to suspend Kunga activities in Masaka and vowing to suspend them in the entire region until his concerns are addressed.
The conflicting factions have divided the party, with some members, especially from the DP block, siding with Mpuuga while those who have always advocated for defiance are siding with Nabatanzi.
The national mobilizer for NUP, Fred Nyanzi, has revealed that the decision by Mpuuga is now under review at the party headquarters, and disciplinary actions will be taken against those who will be found attempting to derail the party’s progress.
