NUP's Kibalama is safe and secure, say Police

SECURITY |

The Police have assured Ugandans and the family of former president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Moses Nkonge Kibalama that he is safe and secure, under the protection of security.

During a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, in Kampala on Monday, Fred Enanga, the spokesperson of the Uganda Police, said Kibalama is being protected at his home in Buwambo, by security personnel.

Enanga said Kibalama, who has been missing since last week, had changed his known mobile phone number to a new one, to avoid unnecessary calls from members of the public.

However, Enanga did not clarify whether Kibalama who gave up his party leadership to People Power leader Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, was facing security threats, to warrant security taking over his protection.

Kibalama last week appeared in a video recording denouncing Bobi Wine, the new president of the National Unity Platform.

In the video, Kibalama accused Bobi Wine of failing to meet his part of the bargain, after he took over the party's leadership a few months ago.

Kibalama said Bobi Wine and the team had promised him $5m (about sh18b), but none of this has materialised. In the video, Kibalama also confirmed that, indeed, he had left out some members of his party; when they held a delegate's conference that saw Bobi Wine take over NUP's leadership.

In July, Bobi Wine unveiled the National Unity Platform, as the political wing of the People Power movement.

Kyagulanyi said for the last two years, they had been in negotiations with the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party, under Moses Kibalama Nkonge when it became apparent that it was impossible for them to register a new party.

The party, which had been in existence for the last 16 years, was rebranded to the National Unity Platform, before it was handed over to Bobi Wine and team.

Court battle

However, shortly after Bobi Wine took over the leadership of NUP, two men petitioned court, seeking to de-register NUP.

Difas Basile and Hassan Twala said the defendants changed National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) to NUP, which, according to them, was illegal.

The complainants, who claimed to be the founder members of NURP, fi led the suit at the Civil Division of the High Court, against Kyagulanyi, NUP, Moses Nkonge Kibalama, David Lewis Rubongoya, Aisha Kabanda, Joel Ssenyonyi, Flavia Kalule Nabagabe, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu and Paul Ssimbwa Kagombe.