All party leaders who disobeyed the party’s position and attended a retreat in Kyankwanzi have been threatened with expulsion or punishment by the National Unity Platform (NUP) party’s local government caucus.
Dr. Emmanuel Serunjogi, the chair of the caucus and mayor of Kawempe Division, spoke to the media yesterday at the party headquarters in Kamwokya. He said NUP unanimously decided to boycott the local government retreat in Kyankwanzi because it was allegedly planned to indoctrinate opposition leaders with NRM ideologies and plan President Museveni’s comeback in the 2026 General Election.
Before beginning to plan new retreats, he instructed the government to carry out the commitments made during the past retreats.
“NUP won a number of local government positions. Mr Museveni has been looking for all possible ways to compromise them, like he has done to many leaders, he decided to organise a retreat in Kyankwanzi as a trap for the Opposition leaders,” Mr Serunjogi said.
“Prior to the retreat, the party issued a directive to all the party leaders instructing them to boycott the arrangements in Kyankwanzi and any decisions taken during this retreat will not be abided by the NUP leaders,” he added.
Erisa Mukasa Nkoyooyo, the mayor of Mukono Municipality, Betty Nakasi, the speaker of the Mukono District Council, and Isaac Muwonge, the deputy speaker of the Wakiso District, are among the NUP members who are alleged to have disobeyed party policy.
Mr. Muwonge denied claims that the NUP contacted him to inquire about the party’s stance on the withdrawal.
“I attended the retreat on behalf of my electorate and on my own behalf, but not in NUP capacity. Our people need services and the retreat was one way to meet and express the concerns of our electorate to relevant authorities, like ministers, and permanent secretaries, among others,” Mr Muwonge said.
“NUP leaders should not pretend to be angels before the media, they do meet NRM officials and ministers on several matters,” he added.
By the time of publication, attempts to reach the other accused leaders for comment had failed.
Yesterday at the retreat’s concluding session, Ms. Jessica Alupo, the vice president, spoke in place of President Museveni.
