The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party has announced the suspension of its president, Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta, for 90 days over what it described as gross misconduct and breach of party protocols.
In a statement released Thursday, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) accused Kabuleta of unilaterally declaring himself the party’s presidential flag bearer without the approval of either NEC or the Delegates Conference—actions the committee says contravened internal procedures.
NEC further alleges that Kabuleta engaged in tribal discrimination, accusing him of expelling executive members on ethnic grounds, specifically for being Baganda and Banyarwanda.
“This amounts to tribalism, which goes against the founding principles of NEED,” the committee said.
Kabuleta is also accused of making derogatory public remarks, including referring to residents of Lubaga as “slum dwellers,” a statement the party said was “offensive and divisive” and sparked backlash beyond the capital.
The statement also outlined a series of alleged administrative failures, including attempts to evict the party from its headquarters in Lubaga without consultation, mismanagement of party assets, and absence of financial transparency.
“He was involved in the fraudulent termination and attempted eviction of Party offices and mismanagement of party assets, with no accountability or communication to NEC,” read part of the statement.
NEC says the former journalist and 2021 presidential candidate has consistently skipped key leadership meetings and has failed to provide any financial disclosures since assuming the presidency.
“Persistent and habitual absenteeism from NEC meetings indicates negligence of duty,” the party said, further accusing Kabuleta of proclaiming that “the party is me,” a move seen as undermining democratic structures.
Additionally, he reportedly branded elected NEC members as “imposters and disgruntled individuals,” further straining internal cohesion.
During the 90-day suspension period, Kabuleta is barred from conducting any party-related business. NEC warned that any defiance of this directive would prompt “extra measures.”
Joseph Kabuleta, a former journalist and pastor, rose to national political prominence during the 2021 general elections, where he contested for the presidency on a platform of economic empowerment and sovereignty.
He founded NEED as a vehicle for his political vision centered on financial liberation for Ugandans. His populist rhetoric and controversial public statements have often drawn both support and criticism.
