Former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga has vowed not to quit National Unity Platform (NUP), saying that despite being hounded with insults from the public, stay in the organization he founded with his colleagues.
“Questions and speculations have been ongoing as to whether, where and when I am going. I am here to state that I am a founder of National Unity Platform. As you are aware, I didn’t join NUP but I was part of the founding blocks of NUP where I serve as a Deputy President in charge of Buganda. I am also here to reaffirm that I am not leaving NUP, a party I founded with colleagues consciously and I am not here to do anything to destroy or kill it. At least, I am not invited to do so at this moment, at least, nobody has moved me to the level of even thinking about deserting a party I founded,” Mpuuga said.
Mpuuga also admitted to have seen the letter by his party, rescinding his earlier nomination as a member to the Parliamentary Commission, saying he won’t respond to the letter because he will never be corrupt or recruited into corruption as he is being accused, saying those accusing him of corruption are seeking for short term political capital.
“I will not respond to that letter, save to restate my position as communicated earlier to the party and nation that I affirm the fact that I confess no wrong doing whether in law or elementary commonsense. The position of the law has been clarified to anyone who wishes to understand but not to deliberately slander me or gain short term political capital out of the current situation. So, I do state my position, it is the position of the law and common sense. I wish to reassure all comrades in the struggle for a fair Uganda that my commitment has never waned and I will not and shall never be part of any form of corruption. I have never been indicted of corruption, I am never corrupt and nobody will invite me into corruption,” said Mpuuga.
Mpuuga also criticized the top leadership at NUP for the way the matter was handled, arguing that whenever the Party members find themselves disagreeable on anything in their midst, there must be mechanisms put in place for mature resolutions that is different from grandstanding and desire to settle political scores at the expense of reputations of comrades with whom they have struggled to offer the country better leadership.
“Ugandans must be encouraged and I am here to invite Ugandans to question the decision of their leaders, especially those in higher offices that make decisions on their behalf and act on their behalf. In the current circumstances, it isn’t difficult to tell that the objective was never on accountability, because no one provides accountability on social media or at press conferences,” Mpuuga said.
He added, “The previous days have cast much doubt within the Ugandan populace and our partners beyond our borders of whether our Party is capable of handling tasks of liberation and effective solutions to the political and social challenges of our country. We must regain public confidence as NUP and as the opposition, trust and demonstrate that we are worthy of the people’s support in leading the charge for change and transformation that the Ugandan masses are yearning for.”
