Joseph Kabuleta, President of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), has announced a major shakeup in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) following the defection of key members to rival political parties.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Tuesday, Kabuleta confirmed the dismissal of Secretary General Charles Basajja, who he said had joined the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)
“Basajja has since joined PLU and is now actively promoting the Muhoozi project,” Kabuleta said. “He has therefore been deposed as Secretary General. His position will temporarily be filled by his deputy, Betty Nyafono, until the national delegates’ conference convenes to confirm her.”
Kabuleta also revealed that Moses Matovu, the party’s publicity secretary and spokesperson, is no longer a member of NEED after crossing over to the Democratic Party (DP).
“These individuals are no longer members of the party—not just the NEC,” Kabuleta asserted. “According to Article 80 of our Constitution, a person automatically ceases to be a member of NEED if they join another political party or organization.”
Quoting the party’s constitution, Kabuleta said Article 80 outlines clear grounds for termination of membership, including death, resignation, joining another political party, or expulsion by the NEC.
He further warned that any executive member who attempts to forge alliances or affiliations with other political parties without express approval from the entire NEC—convened and chaired by him—would be deemed to have defected.
“If any NEC member engages another political party without authorization from a meeting I convene, they will be treated as having joined that party in their individual capacity and will lose their membership in NEED,” Kabuleta emphasized.
He clarified that while NEED does not rule out future political alliances, any such arrangement must be fully endorsed by the NEC through a formal process.
“NEED is not planning any alliance with any other party at the moment,” he said. “Should the opportunity arise, it must be a collective decision, endorsed by a meeting chaired by myself. Any unilateral action will be treated as defection.”
The internal restructuring reflects growing tensions and political realignments within Uganda’s opposition space as parties gear up for the 2026 general elections.
