Kampala, (UG):- The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) Monday announced its formal withdrawal from the Holy Alliance, a union which comprised various opposition political parties including NEED, CP, JEEMA, SDP, and DP-bloc after nearly nine months since the union was founded.
Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters in Rubaga, NEED President Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta said the party he leads chose to step away from the alliance, citing lack of consultation, deviation from the alliance’s founding principles, and questionable actions by some members.
“Our aim was to prepare Ugandans for leadership after Museveni. But what I see now is far from the vision we set out to achieve. I started reading about the activities of the so-called alliance in newspapers, without any consultation. Even Hon. Ken Lukyamuzi, President of the Conservative Party (CP), called me recently and confirmed he was unaware of what was happening in the alliance,” Kabuleta said.
Kabuleta, who is a founding member of the Holy Alliance, declared the union as a defunct one in its original form, labelling it as unholy and ungodly.
“Take this from me: the Holy Alliance is dead. The alliance is no longer holy, it is unholy. At its inception, the Holy Alliance consisted of NEED, JEEMA, SDP, CP, and the DP Block. But now, what was once a united effort has turned into a DP Block affair,” he said, adding that; “At the launch event recently, NEED was not represented. Asuman Basalirwa, President of JEEMA, did not attend, and Hon. Ken Lukyamuzi was also absent. It was entirely a DP Block event, and this exclusion speaks volumes.”
Kabuleta also used the same occasion to clarify NEED’s involvement in the controversial proposals attributed to the alliance which proposed the postponement of the next elections, saying the party he leads cannot be part of such ideological thinking.
“I read in newspapers that ‘the Holy Alliance proposed that elections should be postponed.’ Let me make this clear: I cannot and will not make such a proposal. Suggesting that Museveni deserves three more years without elections is a foolish idea. Forty years of his rule are already too much,” he said.
The Holy Alliance was established on 27th February 2024, with the subscribing political parties coming to work together to bring about change in leadership but Kabuleta says the principles have since changed from planning for life after Museveni, to pursuing personal political ambitions.
“While we were focused on preparing Uganda for life after Museveni, DP Block members were busy mobilizing for parliamentary constituencies. I did not come into politics for constituencies. Our mission was to unite for national leadership and transformation, not personal gains,” the former journalist-cum politician stressed.
Pressed to explain on the reports about funds received by some members of the alliance, Kabuleta candidly remarked; “We don’t mind where the funds came from, but rumours suggest the money was indirectly sourced from Museveni. When I sat with members of the DP Block and asked them to explain the source of the funds, they dodged the question. This lack of transparency is unacceptable. NEED cannot be sold in such a bundle.”
Kabuleta reaffirmed NEED’s commitment to its principles and the Ugandan people saying; “We will not be part of any alliance that compromises integrity, transparency, and the preparation of true leadership for Uganda’s future. NEED will continue to work independently and with like-minded individuals to achieve our vision for a better Uganda.”
When contacted for a comment, Abdul Kyamundu, a founder member of the Holy Alliance, downplayed the allegations, stating that the alliance is a pressure group built on a strong foundation that allows all members to present their ideas.
“The Holy Alliance is not the alliance of the political parties; it’s a pressure group. It was built on a foundation for the betterment of our country. Different political parties have a right to front their candidates in 2026, but not as the whole alliance,” Kyamundu clarified.
He emphasised that the Holy Alliance remains operational and committed to its core values, mission, and streamlining a strong political arena. “The Holy Alliance remains operating to those who can agree on the core values, and missions, and streamline a strong political arena.”
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