Internal Strife and Unity: Navigating Challenges Within Uganda’s NUP

A faction of National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders, currently at odds with the party’s top leadership, has played down the idea of leaving or establishing a new political entity.

The primary opposition party is currently in turmoil following a dispute involving Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, who was asked by party leaders to resign as Parliamentary Commissioner over a controversial “service award” of 500 million shillings he received after serving as Leader of the Opposition.

NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu also suspended Mpuuga from his role as Party Deputy President for Buganda Region, accusing him of damaging the party’s reputation with unsubstantiated corruption claims, accusations Mpuuga has dismissed as baseless.

Amidst this internal strife, a group of leaders, including MPs, have aligned themselves with Mpuuga and are organizing thanksgiving ceremonies for him in Masaka City. Joseph Kasirye, NUP Registrar for greater Masaka, addressing a meeting in Sembabule district before the event, refuted claims of plans to split from the party, emphasizing their efforts are aimed at restoring order to position NUP as a more viable alternative to the ruling NRM.

Kasirye highlighted NUP’s current challenges, citing intolerance and self-serving behavior among a clique of leaders at the top. He clarified that their group has not yet considered leaving NUP to form or join a new political entity, but rather seeks to mobilize members to unify efforts and improve the party’s internal dynamics.

Juliet Nakabuye Kakande, the Masaka City Woman MP, cautioned fellow opposition supporters against hastily forming or switching parties, arguing that all opposition parties face similar challenges hindering political progress in the country. She stressed the importance of concentrating efforts on restructuring and aligning NUP’s leadership for the greater good.

Michael Mulindwa Nakumusana, Nyendo-Ssenyange division Chairperson, explained their initiative is focused on addressing divisive issues within opposition parties and revitalizing grassroots support to challenge divisive political tactics.

NUP Spokesperson and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi affirmed the party’s stance on Mpuuga’s fate, indicating they will not yield to external pressure. He dismissed the mobilization efforts of the dissenting group, labeling them as self-serving and outside the recognized party structures.

Internal conflicts are not unprecedented among opposition parties in Uganda. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the main opposition before 2016, faced similar challenges, resulting in factionalism and eventually the creation of a new party, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).