Kibalama’s new NUP offices reportedly attacked by thugs

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Barely a day after the official unveiling, the offices of the National Unity Platform (NUP) ‘breakaway’ faction led by its founder Mr. Nkonge Kibalama, have reportedly been attacked by thugs leaving some of its property and cars destroyed.

Kibalama led journalists to the unveiling function of the party’s new headquarters located in Kabowa, Kampala, saying this was the legitimate head office of the party, which he claims is still under his control and ownership.

However, hours later, Mr. Gideon Tugume the secretary of information of the Kibalama faction told journalists that a group of unidentified people had attacked their new offices and dismantled some of their property including the office window and windscreens of cars parked therein.

“They threw stones and other sharp objects inside the fence that destroyed our windscreens and glass windows,” Tugume said briefly, before adding that; a police statement was quickly recorded in the interest of the matter.

Tugume however quickly claimed that the attackers might be linked to some of the leaders of the Kamwokya group. “I have evidence against Fred Nyanzi. He has ever threatened to attack us and our offices,” Tugume alleged.

“The guys can do anything but it is unfortunate. Politics should be a matter of life and death. We engaged with them at the time of bringing them closer to our party, why are they acting like this now,” he asked.

Kibalama and the group accuse former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine of lack of transparency in the people power movement leadership, failure to provide accountability by its leaders, and failing to respect and follow the party’s constitution.

The faction also accused the people power movement of failing to contain discipline within the party, exhibiting dictatorial management of the NUP affairs, failing to open up structures, and suffocating the party organs.

“As NUP, we needed to facilitate and nature internal democracy within the party,” Tugume said.

He added that the People Power Movement closed all avenues of creating good working relationships with other political players in the opposition fraternity and suffocating avenues of dialogue in the political space of the country.

“The new administrative leadership of the party as a result of the 27th May 2022 delegates conference is now mandated and charged with the day-to-day running of the party activities both here and outside the country,” Tugume said.

NUP is already working up to speed to field candidates in all the by-elections and women’s elections at all levels in all areas as declared by the electoral commission and is “very optimistic to win all areas”.

“The head office is now officially open for all elected members of NUP at all levels including the meme of parliament to come and formalize their members to get the blessings of the real Bishops of NUP.”

“NUP, therefore, issues a strong warning to whoever is found using party colours, symbols, stamps, and any other party materials without permission from the party leadership, as such will attract very punitively,” he warned.

Tugume consequently asked all authorities in the country to disregard Kamwokya as National Unity Platform head office.