Bobi Wine Suspends Mathias Mpuuga From NUP Deputy President Over Alleged Corruption

In a dramatic turn of events within the National Unity Platform (NUP), party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has taken decisive action by suspending Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga from his position as the deputy party president for the central region.

The suspension, effective immediately, was communicated through a letter dated March 27, in which Kyagulanyi accused Mpuuga of corruptly receiving a staggering sum of Shs500 million as a ‘service award’ during his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition. This alleged action, deemed against both the Leadership Code Act (2002) and the party’s constitution and principles, prompted Kyagulanyi to invoke the party’s disciplinary measures.

“In accordance with Articles 6.3 (h) and 7.1 (e) of the Party Constitution, I hereby suspend you from the position of Deputy President of the National Unity Platform for Central Region with immediate effect, and accordingly refer the matter to the National Executive Committee for further processing,” the letter from Kyagulanyi asserted.

Confirming the suspension, NUP leadership reiterated the allegations against Mpuuga, accusing him of engaging in acts of corruption and abuse of office without providing satisfactory explanations.

“The President of the National Unity Platform has suspended Hon Mathias Mpuuga from the position of Deputy President (Central Region) for engaging in actions of corruption and abuse of office — which actions he has failed to give any satisfactory explanation for,” the party announced via its official communication channels.

Mpuuga’s suspension follows his defiance of party directives, notably his refusal to resign from the Parliamentary Commission despite NUP’s advice. In a press conference earlier in the week, Mpuuga reaffirmed his commitment to NUP, asserting his status as a founding member while refusing to yield to pressure to step down from the commission.

However, the Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Anita Among, intervened by asserting that parties lack the authority to remove elected commissioners. This development adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute, with the Speaker declining NUP’s request to recall Mpuuga from the commission.

As tensions escalate within NUP, observers are closely monitoring the fallout between Mpuuga and the party’s leadership, which could have significant implications for Uganda’s political landscape.