East African Gazette
Uganda
Mpuuga questions Kyagulanyi’s leadership style
The ongoing conflict between Robert Kyagulanyi, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, and Mathias Mpuuga has taken a new turn.
Kyagulanyi, without allegedly consulting the party’s National Executive Committee, reportedly went on to remove Mpuuga from his position as the Deputy President for Buganda Region through social media. Once close friends, their relationship soured when Kyagulanyi publicly accused Mpuuga of corruption and demanded his immediate resignation as Commissioner of Parliament, which Mpuuga regarded as disrespect.
Mpuuga claimed that Kyagulanyi or the party’s most top body never gave him a chance to explain himself, but only saw his leader accusing him in public.
Because of what he referred to as a planned move to belittle him and unfair treatment, Mpuuga refused to step down.
What is really happened?
This dispute arose after Mpuuga and other commissioners allegedly granted themselves a hefty sum of UG shs500 million each as “service award” during a meeting chaired by Speaker of Parliament, Anitah Among.
The NUP party nominated Francis Zaake as Mpuuga’s replacement, but the Speaker rejected the choice. On March 27, 2024, Kyagulanyi issued a letter dismissing Mpuuga from his role as Deputy President of Buganda Region.
But in response, through his official X account formerly twitter, Mpuuga criticized Kyagulanyi’s leadership style, suggesting that NUP is facing challenges and questioning the party’s current state of affairs.
He went on to say that this was an indication that NUP is under siege.
“I’ve seen a circulating document on social media, purportedly signed by yourself, in the latest fashion by the party. If indeed it is your document and signature, I appreciate and sympathize with you on the current desperate situation,” Mpuuga wrote.
“I appreciate and understand that you are under siege. I don’t know how to help you and support you,” he added.
MPUUGA’S FULL RESPONSE………………………
The President
National Unity Platform (NUP),
Kampala.
RE: PURPORTED SUSPENSION AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT
I’ve seen a circulating document on social media, purportedly signed by yourself, in the latest fashion by the party.
If indeed it is your document and signature, I appreciate and sympathize with you on the current desperate situation.
I appreciate and understand that you are under siege. I don’t know how to help you and support you.
In view of the contents of the impugned document, that the person suspended failed to supply a satisfactory explanation, yet the same person was earlier on reported to have confessed and apologised, I don’t know how to rescue you and the party from the captors.
The prevailing desperate situation and the circumstances we find ourselves in, will afford me more time and space to consult with the rank and file of the party for a way forward.
Accept once again my sympathies for the unyielding siege that has impaired judgement at the highest echelons of the party.
I remain at your service and that of the party and the country.
Mathias Mpuuga (MP)
COMMISSIONER OF PARLIAMENT.