By Caroline Kirabo
It should be noted that the strategy named, Kunga Uganda, was started in 2022 to drum up support for the National Unity Platform party across the country.
Kunga Uganda Operates with a hierarchical structure starting from villages and Parishes up to the national level, under the leadership of Mr. Fred Nyanzi, the elder brother of the NUP leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu commonly known as Bobi Wine.
However, some leaders within the NUP party in Masaka District allege that some members are exploiting the Kunga Uganda Structures for political gains.
It should be remembered that they had suspended their activities last week until top party leadership gives guidance on the matter.
Mr. Joseph Kasirye, the NUP party secretary General for the Masaka Branch, says that there are concerns that Kunga leaders are exploiting the program to undermine elected party officials and advance personal interest, leading to bickering within the party.
Mr. Kasirye also revealed that some Kunga mobilizers were allegedly extorting money from elected leaders.
The Masaka City Council Female Councillor, Ms Zarahah Nalubyayi, representing Kimaanya Kabonera Municipality, highlighted the inadequate scrutiny of Kunga mobilizers and their negative influence on the party’s reputation.
In response to the suspension of Kunga activities in Masaka, Ms Alice Nanungi, a coordinator of Kunga Uganda, affirmed their commitment to respecting the decision and writing for guidance from the top party leadership.
Ms Florence Namayanja, the Masaka City Mayor and also NUP chairperson, said those frustrating Kunga Uganda activities are bent on weakening the party.
Mr. Fred Nyanzi, the NUP national secretary for Mobilisation, while talking to netizen posts refuted the decision by Masaka party leaders to suspend the Kunga Uganda Campaign emphasizing that the Mobilization Strategy is grounded in the party constitution.
National Unity Platform (NUP), which is less than 5 years old, has considerable political support in the Buganda region and the ruling NRM had a dismal performance in the region during the 2021, General Election with Mr. Museveni scoring 838,858 votes which is 35% in Buganda region and NUP’s former Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu scoring 1,453,535 which is 62%.