The National Unity Platform (NUP) party’s local government caucus has threatened to dismiss or penalize all party leaders who ignored the party’s stand and attended the Kyankwanzi retreat.
Dr Emmanuel Serunjogi, the chairperson of the caucus and the mayor of Kawempe Division, told the press at the party headquarters in Kamwokya yesterday that the NUP took a unanimous decision to boycott the local government retreat in Kyankwanzi on allegations that it was organised to indoctrinate Opposition leaders with NRM ideologies while also strategizing for President Museveni’s re-election in the 2026 General Election.
He directed the government to fulfil the pledges made in previous retreats before organizing others.
“The NUP won several local government positions.” Mr Museveni, like many other leaders, has been seeking ways to weaken them, and he chose to hold a retreat at Kyankwanzi as a trap for the opposition leaders,” Mr Serunjogi said.
“Prior to the retreat, the party issued a directive to all party leaders instructing them to boycott the arrangements in Kyankwanzi, and any decisions made during this retreat will not be followed by the NUP leaders,” he added.
Mukono Municipality mayor Erisa Mukasa Nkoyooyo, Mukono District Council speaker Betty Nakasi, and Wakiso District deputy speaker Isaac Muwonge are among the NUP members who are believed to have violated the party line.
Mr Muwonge denied that the NUP contacted him about the party’s position on the withdrawal.
“I attended the retreat on behalf of my electorate and on my own behalf, but not in my capacity as a member of the NUP.” Our people require services, and the retreat was one method for them to meet and communicate their concerns to appropriate authorities such as ministries and permanent secretaries, among others,” Mr Muwonge added.
“NUP leaders should not act like angels in front of the media; they meet with NRM officials and ministers on a variety of issues,” he continued.
Attempts to reach other implicated leaders for comment were futile by press time.
Ms Jessica Alupo, the Vice President, presented President Museveni’s remarks during the retreat’s closing session yesterday.
