The suspended deputy president of the Buganda region for the National Unity Platform (NUP), the Rt. Hon. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, has reiterated his stance that party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, lacks the authority to suspend him from his deputy position.
Speaking on NBS Morning Breeze program earlier today, Hon. Mpuuga, also Parliamentary Commissioner and Member of Parliament for Nnyendo – Mukungwe Constituency in Masaka City emphasized his understanding of the party's constitution.
"Suspending a vice president is not within his jurisdiction." He said of Bobi Winee’s move whilst dismissing his suspension as lacking a legal foundation based on the party's constitution, emphasizing the need for actions within the party to consider all key stakeholders involved.
Hon. Mpuuga's suspension, announced by Hon. Kyagulanyi in late March, was based on allegations of corruption during Mpuuga's tenure as Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament. Robert Kyagulanyi cited an incident involving an allocation of 1.7 billion Ugandan Shillings under the pretext of "Service Awards," with allegations that Hon. Mathias Mpuuga personally received 500 million Shillings.
In response to calls for his resignation and accusations of internal intrigues, Mpuuga accused certain elements within the party of orchestrating a campaign to tarnish his reputation. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to serving above personal interests and restoring integrity in national and party politics.
The National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, wrote to Speaker of Parliament the Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among on March 18, 2024, informing her of the party's decision to withdraw Mathias Mpuuga's nomination and recall him from the position of Commissioner of Parliament. Hon. Mpuuga was replaced by Hon. Francis Zaake, the Member of Parliament representing Mityana Municipality.
However, Speaker Annet Anita Among responded, stating that the National Unity Platform lacks the authority to recall Hon. Mathias Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission, as Parliamentary Commissioners are elected by Parliament, with political parties limited to nominating candidates for the election, thereby pouring water onto their request in the matter.
Despite these challenges, Mpuuga expressed his determination to remain within the party, criticizing its lack of direction and inability to guide disheartened members. He outlined his vision for the NUP, pledging to address issues such as nepotism, corruption, and the absence of internal democracy through a reform process.
Mpuuga's steadfastness in asserting his independence within the NUP underscores a broader struggle within the party for accountability and transparency in its leadership and operations
