MP Nambeshe explains absence from NUP activities

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Opposition Chief Whip and Manjiya County MP, John Baptist Nambeshe, has explained his continued absence from National Unity Platform (NUP) party activities.

“The leadership [of the party] knows that I have two very critical patients. My mother is permanently in Aga Khan Hospital [in Nairobi, Kenya] and she requires my presence... My sister has a heart problem and is going to finish seven months in Mulago [National] Heart Institute [in Kampala]. So, I keep running up and down,” he said.

He made the comments during a phone interview with New Vision on Tuesday, April 15.

Nambeshe sparked speculation on Monday, April 14, that he could be planning to return to the ruling party after missing NUP’s leadership meeting in Mbale city.

The meeting, attended by top party leaders including their president Robert Kyagulanyi and local leaders from 40 eastern region districts, was convened to strategise for next year’s general election.

Nambeshe told New Vision that the meeting took place while he was abroad, but he sent an audio message explaining his absence, which was played to the gathering.

“I gave an audio explaining my absence, which was listened to. I had also gone to Cairo, Egypt, with the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) to meet embassy officials over the findings and recommendations of the Auditor General,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that his continued absence from party activities had raised eyebrows.

“What could be raising eyebrows is because of my absence from many NUP activities, and it has provided fodder for speculation and malicious propaganda by wishful thinkers in the NRM (National Resistance Movement). But why would people think for a man who has been on the political scene for a bit of time and who is capable of speaking for himself?” he asked.

With cracks widening within the three main opposition political parties in Uganda, several MPs are said to be sitting on the fence, waiting to see which way the tide turns before switching sides to improve their chances of retaining their seats in the 2026 election.