Kampala, Uganda | The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party has suspended its national chairperson and president, Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta, for 90 days over a series of alleged violations that party leaders say threaten internal democracy and national cohesion.
According to a press release issued by party spokesperson Moses Matovu, the suspension follows Kabuleta’s unilateral declaration of himself as the party’s presidential flag bearer without approval from the National Executive Committee (NEC) or the Delegates Conference.
The party leadership considers this a direct violation of internal procedures and a usurpation of collective decision-making.
NEED further accuses Kabuleta of promoting sectarianism and tribalism, especially during the expulsion of certain executive members.
The statement suggests that his actions targeted individuals based on ethnicity, particularly from the Baganda and Banyarwanda communities.
This conduct, the party says, contradicts the national values NEED stands for.
Additional allegations include derogatory remarks made against residents of Lubaga, whom Kabuleta allegedly referred to as “slum dwellers.”
He is also accused of arbitrarily expelling NEC members without following due process, attempting to evict the party from its Lubaga-based headquarters through the manipulation of tenancy documents, and mishandling party resources.
The party also cited his chronic absenteeism from NEC meetings and failure to comply with financial transparency requirements regarding the origin and use of party funds.
Leaders say he has consistently used unverified financial sources without disclosing their origin to the party’s governing organs.
The statement added that Kabuleta had been running a parallel faction outside of established party structures and attempting to personalise the party, frequently portraying himself as synonymous with NEED.
The party sees this as an effort to concentrate power in one individual, contrary to democratic ideals.
With immediate effect from August 1, 2025, Kabuleta is prohibited from participating in all party activities.
This includes convening or attending meetings, holding press conferences on behalf of the party, or accessing party offices, property, or materials.
The party has warned that any breach of these terms will attract further disciplinary action.
During the suspension, the Deputy National Chairperson will assume leadership in an acting capacity, overseeing the party’s affairs and safeguarding its institutional integrity.