Former presidential candidate Joseph Kabuleta has officially unveiled his new political party, the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), at a vibrant launch event in Kampala that drew supporters from across the country.
With maize as the party’s symbol and black and white as its official colours, NEED positions itself as a fresh force on Uganda’s political scene—aiming to transform the economic and governance landscape.
A Vision for Economic Justice
In his keynote address, Kabuleta described NEED as a nationwide movement dedicated to ending economic injustice, decentralizing power, and restoring financial dignity to Ugandans. He criticized what he called Uganda’s bloated public sector, which he said has suffocated private enterprise.
“This country has suffered under a fat public sector feeding on a thin private sector,” Kabuleta said. “We must reverse that. We’ll put the public sector on a diet and grow the private sector to power our economy.”
He emphasized that Uganda’s vast wealth must translate into “money in people’s pockets”—a phrase he reiterated as a core principle of NEED.
Criticism of Current Leadership
Kabuleta accused the current administration of stifling local entrepreneurship, promoting dependency, and failing to leverage the country’s agricultural and industrial potential.
He decried the importation of basic goods such as rice, garlic, and groundnuts as signs of poor leadership.
“We have two planting seasons and some of the most fertile land in Africa, yet we import rice from Tanzania and garlic from China,” he said. “That’s not a production failure—it’s a leadership failure.”
“The Museveni Dynasty Must End”
The former presidential candidate took direct aim at President Yoweri Museveni, accusing him of building a political dynasty rooted in fear and poverty. He vowed that Uganda would not become a monarchy.
“This is not a kingdom. Museveni’s son will not take over. The dynasty ends with him,” he declared to loud applause.
Kabuleta alleged that the government has deliberately impoverished rural communities to manipulate them during elections.
“He destroyed the fabric of rural wealth to keep villagers as peasants whose votes can be bought cheaply. But we will restore that wealth. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”
Fighting for Financial Liberation
Kabuleta also highlighted testimonies from local entrepreneurs who have been forced out of business due to unfair taxation and political interference. He described Uganda’s business environment as “captured” by politically connected elites, which he said discourages honest investors and limits economic growth.
A Truly National Party
NEED, he stressed, is not a party for the central region alone, but a nationwide movement. Kabuleta applauded the presence of delegates from Karamoja, Busoga, and other regions, noting that the party will field candidates across the country—including in strongholds of the ruling party.
“We are not doing politics only in Kampala or the central region. Every region is represented here today,” he said.
Maize as a Symbol of Prosperity
The party also officially unveiled its identity card, featuring maize as the official symbol—chosen to reflect the central role of agriculture in Uganda’s economy and NEED’s focus on food security and rural empowerment.
Kabuleta argued that with proper support for farmers, Uganda could cut imports, stabilize food prices, and generate jobs.
“If our farmers are growing the right crops with a guaranteed market, food prices will drop—and so will school fees. That’s how real economic empowerment works.”
A Call to Action
In closing, Kabuleta urged supporters to spread NEED’s message across Uganda and called for urgent political change to unlock economic transformation.
“We are not just offering slogans—we are offering solutions. And with your help, we shall reclaim this country’s wealth for the people who create it.”