Kyagulanyi fires NUP polls boss

The National Unity Platform leader and Kyadondo East legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, has reshuffled his party elections management committee, dismissing its vice-chairperson, Samuel Walter Lubega Makaaku.

The changes were announced during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala.

Besides Mukaaku, the other member fired is Margret Rugumba. The committee is charged with identifying people to be named NUP flag-bearers in the 2021 polls.

The new committee members are Mercy Walukamba, the chairperson, who has retained her position, Jeremiah Keeya (secretary), Gerald Oyek, Juma Raham, Tonny Hauses, Eddy Kayabula, Grace Asiimwe, Angel Kwagala, John Mary Ssebufu, Peter Maiso, Harris Akampurira and Alex Rovans Rwanyaga.

Speaking at the event, Kyagulanyi said there have been reports that some people, who claim to be NUP members, were promoting interests of other parties.

There were accusations that Makaaku was favouring people who hitherto have been in the Democratic Party. Makaaku was formerly in DP before he defected to NUP.

Kyagulanyi said when the party was formed, they expected to stop the confusion about their identity and membership.

Belonging

Kyagulanyi added that a person cannot belong to two political parties.

"It is okay for you not to belong to NUP, we can work together with love, respect and confidence. But if you are in NUP, remain with the NUP, do not be in two parties," he said.

He urged his new committee not to discriminate against aspirants on the basis of one's economic status, gender or tribe.

He said: "Take time to find out who is real and who is not."

Kyagulanyi also cautioned the elections management committee to desist from corruption.

"We started by saying that people power is our power. It is not the politicians to decide for the people, but it's upon the people to decide for themselves," he added.

Kyagulanyi also unveiled his fundraising team that will collect funds and also sell different NUP/ People Power items, such as berets, masks, T-shirts, among others. The team is headed by Aisha Kabanda. Former MP Gordon Ssematiko is also a member of the team.

"NRM is using taxpayers' money, NUP is only going to use funds that well-wishers are contributing," he added.

NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that there is a group of people that had dragged the party to courts of law for changing the party name from the National Reconciliation and Development Party to the National Unity Platform.

"We do not know who these are, they are not even registered in the party register and do not have the party membership cards," he said.