The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has again urged the public to disregard a rival group led by Moses Nkonge Kibalama, who claim they have taken over the leadership of the party.
The new development comes after an announcement from the Kibalama faction declaring an end to their relationship with the People Power movement, and the unveiling of new offices in Lubaga, Kampala on Tuesday, in what they claim was a legitimate change of party leadership.
In a statement, however, NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, dispels claims of change of NUP leadership referring to the rivals as masqueraders, fraudsters and liars used by the State to undermine the party leadership.
“We call on the public to disregard these masqueraders with the contempt they deserve. We also send a stern warning to the masqueraders, the full wrath of the law will be unleashed on them over their fraudulent tendencies” Joel Ssenyonyi said on Tuesday.
The faction leaders claim the delegates conference held on the 27th May 2022, elected a new NUP leadership and resolved that the party finds new headquarters from Kamwokya in fulfilment of the decision of the delegate, the Central Executive Committee of the party.
The faction’s Secretary for Information, Gideon Tugume, claims that lack of transparency in the People Power movement leadership including failure to provide accountability of funds received by NUP by its leaders and failing to respect and follow the party’s constitution are reasons behind the new changes.
Early this year, the faction purportedly elected Nkonge Moses Kibalama as the new president replacing Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi while Simbwa Kagombe is the new Secretary General replacing Lewis Lubongoya. The faction leaders also claim to have since submitted the list of new leaders to the Electoral Commission, notifying them on change of party leadership.
“Previously the same people told court that the Stae had couched them to tell lies agains the legitimate leadership of NUP. It is clear the State continues to use them in the hope that they will undermine the leadership of NUP and throw the party into disarray” the statement by Ssenyonyi adds.
A letter dated April 23rd from William Odinga, a member of the Kibalama faction addressed to Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu indicated that the Kyagulanyi leadership abdicated duties and the constitution of the party.
Among other things, the Kibalama faction accused the NUP leadership of forging a constitution replacing the original constitution of the NURP party and connived with the Electoral Commission to update the party documents.
They also accused the Kyagulanyi leadership of failing to follow a memorandum of understanding signed between the two factions during the transformation stage in 2020.