You’re Avoiding Internal “Competition”: Ex-LoP Mpuuga Speaks Out On Bobi’s Political Persecution
In an exclusive and bombshell interview on the DayBreakAfrica programme of US-based Voice of America (VOA), run on July 1, 2024, former leader of opposition in parliament, Mathias Mpuuga hit back at corruption allegations leveled against him by his National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
In a 2:47-minute interview, a hard-hitting Mpuuga dismissed claims as a thinly veiled attempt initiated by Kyagulanyi to “character-assassinate me,” in to silence a potential internal “competition.”
“The entire world should know that corruption allegations [against me] have nothing to do with that money. I know what Mr. Kyagulanyi and his close associates, intended to do-they simply desired to character-assassinate me because they see me as an internal challenge in the party.”
Since February 2024, the political landscape has been ablaze with a vicious campaign targeting Mpuuga, as Kyagulanyi, his proxies, and supporters have been unleashing a barrage of attacks through media outlets and social media platforms. At the center of the maelstrom is the Shs500m service award from parliament, which NUP claims is a corrupt payout.
“First of all, who is causing the divisions in the NUP? Who started this whole thing about Mathias Mpuuga eating Mr. Museveni’s money? Whoever started it, actually, was interested in retaining NUP as an individual because he doesn’t want competition in the NUP believing that by pushing me out, he will be a lone actor,” Mpuuga said.
He insisted that the real motive behind accusations by Kyagulanyi and his stand-ins of taking money from President Museveni was to neutralize his growing influence within NUP, fearing that he could upstage to even emerge him as a presidential candidate.
“Make no mistake, those who are hounding me know without a shade of doubt that I am competent and that actually, I am more competent than them,” Mpuuga said, “they actually know that in corridors of power, my name is circulating. Those who are discussing national politics and leadership have my name on the front pages. Therefore, I am not surprised that their fear is about what I can become even when I have not announced it.”
He assured VOA that, “I am capable of being a presidential candidate and even a president. But when it is necessary and if I think that it is time for me to be part of that platform, I will announce it. I am not a lone player, I prefer to make decisions after consultations and [I am aware that I have the support of those I work with across (the country.)”
He thus proclaimed, “this country [Uganda] is looking for leaders over the coming years. It could be 2026, it could be beyond.” Mpuuga said.
Kyagulanyi’s Allegations
Responding to a specific question on being corrupt through picking money from President Museveni, Mpuuga said, the allegations are a smokescreen for Kyagulanyi’s fear, asserting, money was properly allocated to him through the budget.
“There is no such a thing as going to Mr. Museveni to get money. Mr. Kyagulanyi knows so well, and I challenge him to a public debate so that he can convince people that I actually, went to Mr. Museveni and got money…the same way the party elites get money from the national budget is the same way a former leader of the opposition at the end of his term, was given ex-gratia.”
Mpuuga maintained, “it [money] is lawful and it was properly processed [by parliament]. He [Kyagulanyi] simply wants to hide his other problems over which I have been challenging him and other leaders in the party and they don’t want to act on them.”
He collaborated his assertion, saying, “at one stage he [Kyagulanyi] said that I was corrupt. How do you say someone is corrupt and you don’t take him to court…and continue talking about it out of turn? It is something I cannot comprehend.”
In sum, Mpuuga vows, “I cannot apologize for being competent.”