A Thanksgiving celebration hosted by Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), has sparked political turmoil among supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The event, held over the weekend, has intensified the rift between Mpuuga, the Nyendo Mukungwe Division MP, and NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi.
In Mukono district, some councillors have openly punished leaders who attended the Friday event.
Fred Kiyimba, a NUP councillor in Mukono, was forcibly removed from his office by rowdy party supporters, who accused him of aligning with Mpuuga.
The tension between Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga began over a 500 million shilling service award appropriated for the former LOP by Parliament.
This disagreement has since escalated into a power struggle, drawing in party MPs, some of whom quietly support Mpuuga.
Dr Abed Bwanika, the Kimanya-Kabonera Division MP, who has openly sided with Mpuuga, suggested that the Masaka event signals an imminent breakaway from NUP.
“We are done with NUP,” Bwanika declared.
“We have left some homework for our people about our dress code colour, orange and its mixtures. We shall tell you with time.”
Denis Majwala, the former Masaka Central Division chairperson, commented on the growing divide within NUP, stating that the party is in a self-destructive mode.
“NUP is doomed,” he said. “The space has given us the opportunity to show our supporters in Masaka that political waves don’t last.”
Francis Sserunjogi, a NUP supporter from Masaka, expressed loyalty to Mpuuga, questioning why NUP leaders humiliated him over the service award. “Mpuuga is our own. We shall follow the direction that he will show us,” he said. “We are now informed about the 500 million shilling award for his exemplary service. It was not a bribe, so it was not fair for him to be degraded in that manner.”
Despite a boycott by most NUP MPs, Joyce Bagala (Mityana Woman MP), Medard Lubega Sseggona (Busiro East), and Juliet Kakande Nakabuye (Masaka City Woman MP) supported Mpuuga by attending the fete. Other attendees included Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality, JEEMA) and Esther Afoyochan (Zombo Woman MP, NRM).
Sseggona defended the service award, stating, “It is not true that the commissioners awarded themselves. The proposal was brought to Parliament and got passed. If there is anyone to blame, then Parliament is to blame.”
The NUP faction in Masaka, led by Masaka city mayor Florence Namayanja and aligned with Kyagulanyi, boycotted the event, preferring a mobilisation drive for massive registration of members. The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, was represented by his deputy, Waggwa Nsibirwa. The church service was led by Msgr. John Baptist Ssebayigga, representing Archbishop Paul Semwogerere. National Economic Empowerment Dialogue party president Joseph Kabuleta and Conservative Party’s Ken Lukyamuzi also attended.
Mpuuga’s message at the event emphasized unity. “It has been over 60 years since we gained independence, yet we still regard each other as enemies. It is time we define what divides us and unite for progress together,” he said. “We are seeking Ugandans who believe that things are not going well and we must unite to make a difference. We want Uganda to change course and we advocate for a peaceful transition of power through dialogue.”
