Nyendo-Mukungwe Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga has vowed not to leave the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, stating that despite facing insults from the public and a section of party supporters, he will remain with the party where he is one of the founding members.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament this morning, Mpuuga asserted that he will not take any action to harm the party.
“I am here to state that I am a founder of the National Unity Platform, as you are aware. I didn’t join NUP, but I was part of the founding blocks of NUP where I serve as Deputy President in charge of Buganda,” Mpuuga said.
He added, “I am also here to reaffirm that I am not leaving NUP, a party I founded with colleagues consciously. I am not here to do anything to destroy or harm it. At least, I am not inclined to do so at this moment, and nobody has pushed me to the level of even contemplating deserting a party I founded.”
Regarding his party’s move to recall him from his position as Commissioner of Parliament, Mpuuga acknowledged receiving the letter but stated that he won’t respond to it because he has never engaged in corruption or been involved in corrupt activities as alleged. He argued that those accusing him of corruption are pursuing short-term political gains.
“I will not respond to that letter, except to restate my position as communicated earlier to the party and the nation that I confess no wrongdoing, whether in law or elementary common sense. The legal position has been clarified for anyone wishing to understand, but not to deliberately defame me or gain short-term political advantage from the current situation,” he said.
The former Leader of Opposition also criticized the top leadership of NUP for their handling of the matter.
“Whenever party members find themselves in disagreement on any matter, there must be mechanisms in place for mature resolutions that differ from grandstanding and the desire to settle political scores at the expense of the reputations of comrades with whom they have struggled to offer the country better leadership,” he said.
The standoff between NUP and Mpuuga began when the party requested him to step down from his position as parliamentary commissioner, accusing him of corruption and abuse of office after he admitted to receiving Shs500 million from Parliament as a ‘Service Award.’
Mpuuga declined to step down, explaining that the said Shs500 million ‘Service Award’ money was granted to him by the Parliamentary Commission as gratuity, and thus he cannot be accused of any wrongdoing.