Details continue to emerge about the ongoing crisis in the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue – NEED Party where the party president Joseph Kabuleta was suspended by the National Executive Committee – NEC.

Kabuleta’s suspension was announced at the start of the month by the Executive committee which accused him of violating internal procedures and abusing his leadership role.

He was also accused of, among other things, declaring himself party presidential flag bearer without NEC and delegates approval and expelling party executives without due process.

This website has however leant that the whole scheme is being orchestrated by two individuals who are motivated by selfish reasons to try and drown the young political party.

The two individuals who include the former party spokesperson Moses Matovu and the former Secretary General Charles Basajja were relieved of their duties, but they continue to claim they represent the party on many platforms.

Attacking other opposition parties

Matovu who joined the party in 2022 and became the spokesperson in the same year was fond of attacking other opposition political parties in particular, the National Unity Platform – NUP.

“He was warned by the President Kabuleta over his repeated attacks on other opposition political parties but he persisted. He was reminded that NEED is not built on the foundation of attacking others but he continued to attack NUP,” a source inside the party confided in The Tower Post.

“Despite being the party spokesperson, Matovu had been very insurbodinate and was also pictured during recent DP elections in Mbarara wearing a DP T-shirt and holding a DP party card. That’s when he was relieved of his duties,” the source added.

Influence from Gen. Muhoozi’s PLU

The other factor leading to disagreements within the party is influence from the Patriotic League of Uganda – PLU, an NRM leaning political pressure group led by first son Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Sources say that the former NEED Secretary General Charles Basajja was approached by PLU insiders and given a deal to destroy NEED from within and secure a place in Muhoozi’s government and he accepted.

“Firstly, he tactfully kicked out former Secretary General Asuman Odaka, and using an ally of his at EC he wrote himself into that position,” the source said.

“When Kabuleta found out about the espionage, he summoned Basajja summarily discontinuing him from his position as Secretary General.”

While appearing on Sanyuka TV recently, Kabuleta revealed that it was Basajja, his longtime friend who coordinated his arrest in November 2022, using his connection with the Chief of Defense Forces – Gen Muhoozi.

Divided Interests

Despite being among the top leaders in the party, both Basajja and Matovu have been working to undermine the party president and the entire leadership in a move to destroy it. The two called the Press conference that announced Kabuleta’s suspension.

“Maybe, Basajja hopes that his deal with Muhoozi’s PLU is still on and he can still get the position he was promised,” the source wondered.

On the other side, Matovu has been seen meeting with officials from the newly formed Demicratic Alliance – DA, a party headed by former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga.

“Both of them often meet Democratic Alliance officials including Michael Mabbike and Samuel Mukaaku at a hotel in Muyenga.”

“Mabbike and Mukaaku also have their beef with Kabuleta over the manner in which he exited the Holy Alliance accusing them of, among other things, taking money from Museveni circles.”

Defiance

Despite the schemes hatched by Matovu and Basajja, Kabuleta defied the 90-day suspension saying it’s illegitimate and politically motivated. He also accused the NEC of being compromised by the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM.

“There are some people who do not want me to stand for president and they are using some elements within our party. I am going to stand as president and as the President of NEED and no clown is going to stop that,” he said.

“No force in Heaven or Hell is going to stop me. I am going to stand as NEED president. These disgruntled beggars are being used in a smear campaign. They are being paid to disorganize our paty.”