Kampala, Uganda: The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party president Joseph Kabuleta has suspended two top officials in a sweeping overhaul of the party leadership ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Kabuleta announced Tuesday, September 09, that former Secretary General Basajja Charles and publicity secretary Moses Matovu had been suspended, accusing them of defecting to rival political formations.
“The suspension is in accordance with Article 80 of the NEED constitution, which states that a person ceases to be a member of the party upon joining another political party,” Kabuleta said.
Kabuleta alleged that Basajja had crossed to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to promote Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s project, while Matovu had defected to the Democratic Party (DP).
“They are not only suspended as NEC members, they are no longer members of NEED,” he added, warning that any NEC member attempting to forge alliances without approval would be treated as a defector.
The move follows an earlier 90-day suspension imposed on Kabuleta by the same officials on August 1, 2025, over allegations of abuse of power, sectarianism, misconduct, and financial opacity, but Kabuleta ignored the sanctions, pressed ahead with his presidential campaign roadmap, picked nomination forms, and has now fired back by suspending the two NEC members.
Speaking at the same press briefing, Kabuleta also launched a nationwide fundraising campaign to support NEED’s activities, including posters, transport, and fuel. However, he did not disclose the fundraising target.
Suspended officials hit back
When contacted, Mr Matovu dismissed the suspension as illegal, insisting that Kabuleta was barred from conducting party activities during his own 90-day suspension. “We will continue serving NEED as legitimate leaders while awaiting the conclusion of the 90-day period,” he said.
Matovu also denied defecting to the DP, arguing that his support for DP’s Richard Ssebamala did not amount to crossing over. “Kabuleta has no evidence of my defection. He only saw a picture of me wearing Mr Ssebamala’s T-shirt and holding a flyer, which he called a DP ticket. I challenge him to check the DP membership records,” he said, adding that the suspension was issued without due notice.
Basajja declined to comment on the alleged defection to PLU, referring inquiries to Matovu.
But the Electoral Commission (EC) has weighed in on the dispute, urging NEED and other parties to use internal constitutional mechanisms or courts of law to resolve conflicts.
“Political parties should use the dispute resolution mechanisms provided in their constitutions and, if unresolved, seek legal redress in courts of law,” EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said.
Source:Daily Express