As the jostle for political dominance between the National Unity Platform (NUP) party president, Robert Kyagulanyi and former leader of opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga continues to eat up NUP, some party MPs have denounced Kyagulanyi and the party’s red colours.
NUP MPs, mainly from greater Masaka, argue that Kyagulanyi’s behaviour does not espouse the party doctrine.
Led by Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP Dr Abed Bwanika, the MPs, who are in Mpuuga’s camp, added that time has come to revamp NUP and replace Kyagulanyi as party president.
“We are not going tolerate the disrespectful and unbecoming conduct of Kyagulanyi,” Bwanika said, adding that the red party dress code should be abandoned.
Masaka City Woman MP Juliet Kakande, also officially denounced Kyagulanyi and officially joined Mpuuga’s camp.
The emerging contradictions have also come at a time when Mpuuga is preparing for a thanksgiving fete in Masaka on June 21 where the Katikkiro of Buganda kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, will be the chief guest.
Around the same time, Kyagulanyi is also expected to launch his countrywide tour in Masaka.
Already, all camps are preparing for the two events, which supporters say, will define the expected fracture of NUP ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The build-up to this situation started earlier on May 18 at Kiwangala in Lwengo district at the burial ceremony of Pascal Sekasamba, a brother to the former Democratic Party (DP)secretary general, Mathias Nsubuga.
The burial ceremony turned rowdy as MPs from rival NUP camps of Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga accused each other of political betrayal.
At the burial, Bwanika accused Kyagulanyi and his supporters of allegedly attacking Mayiga and belittling Mpuuga and other NUP party leaders.
“Kyagulanyi, this politics of struggle does not make sense when it is characterised with disrespect. The Mpuuga you are destroying is a leader,” Bwanika told Kyagulanyi, who was present.
As Bwanika accused Kyagulanyi of disrespecting Mayiga and Mpuuga, some NUP supporters grabbed his microphone, leading to a melee of sorts.
Mpuuga was also not allowed to speak. At some point, Kyagulanyi was forced to calm the unruly situation at the burial as some NUP supporters accused Bwanika of being a traitor.
The rift between both sides deepened when Kyagulanyi suspended Mpuuga over allegations that the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, received the sh500m service award.
However, speaking during the burial ceremony, Kyagulanyi, who cut a calm demeanour, told mourners that he does not have any personal grudge against Mpuuga, noting that he is the one who helped Mpuuga and other Masaka MPs to join Parliament.
“My elder Mpuuga made a mistake and apologised. We forgave him and I expect a new chapter. I do not have any personal grudge against him,” he said, adding that his mission is to shape leaders by making them accountable.
“I will not spare anyone, be it my friends, relatives or elders, if they go against our party principles,” Kyagulanyi said, criticising NUP supporters, who he said use foul language to abuse leaders such as Mpuuga and Mayiga, among others.
The use of abusive language against leaders, Kyagulanyi said, has tarnished the image of NUP. “I need your support. I am fighting with one hand while the other is tied as you all can see,” he said.
MPUUGA RESPONDS
Speaking after the burial, Mpuuga said the trend of NUP leaders belittling fellow leaders must stop. “We shall not allow this situation to continue. We have a legacy to protect,” he said, noting that on June 21, he will make a political statement.
On Kyagulanyi launching his countrywide tours in Masaka around the same time, Bwanika said: “We are not going to allow Kyagulanyi to cross over to Masaka again.” “We have the power to remove Kyagulanyi,” Bwanika added.
