KAMPALA, UGANDA — National Unity Platform Party President Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has appealed to party members to understand and support his recent decisions, including the suspension of Vice President for Buganda, Mathias Mpuuga.
The suspension came after allegations surfaced that Mpuuga had pocketed approximately Ugx 500 billion from the Parliamentary Commission.
The controversy unfolded during a funeral for party member Pascal Ssekasamba in Lwengo district, where Kimaanya Kabonera MP, Dr. Abed Bwanika, publicly expressed concerns about Bobi Wine’s leadership style.
Bwanika accused the party president of unfairly cutting short the careers of party leaders without due process, citing Mpuuga’s suspension as an example.
Bobi Wine responded by acknowledging the concerns but maintained that his decisions were made in the best interest of the party.
He emphasized that the suspension of Mpuuga was necessary due to the seriousness of the allegations against him.
The party president also assured members that he had no personal vendetta against Mpuuga and that the suspension was not a permanent decision, but rather a measure to allow for further investigation and due process.
The incident has sparked intense debate within the party, with some members calling for greater transparency and accountability in leadership decisions. Others have rallied behind Bobi Wine, supporting his efforts to maintain party discipline and accountability.
As the National Unity Platform Party navigates this internal controversy, its leaders and members are grappling with the complexities of party politics and the need for strong leadership and accountability.
The outcome of this situation will likely have significant implications for the party’s future and its ability to maintain unity and cohesion in the face of challenges.
Background
In a letter dated March 27, 2024, Bobi Wine claimed that Mpuuga’s actions violated the Leadership Code Act and the party’s constitution.
Specifically, Bobi Wine alleged that Mpuuga participated in a meeting on May 6, 2022, where he and three National Resistance Movement-nominated Parliamentary Commissioners allocated themselves Ugx 1.7 billion under the guise of “service awards”.
Bobi Wine stated that this was an act of corruption and abuse of office, which violated numerous laws, including Section 9 (1) of the Leadership Code Act (2002).
Bobi Wine also cited Article 53 (b) and (f) of the party constitution, which obligates party members to conduct themselves in a manner that does not bring disrepute to the name of the party and to practice accountable leadership. He stated that Mpuuga had thus far failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for engaging in this action, which goes against the vision, mission, and objectives of the party.
Bobi Wine maintained that his decisions were made in the best interest of the party and that he had no personal vendetta against Mpuuga.
