The National Peasants Party (NPP) has been thrown into uncertainty after its president,Stecia Mayanja, announced her resignation from the top seat, citing irreconcilable differences with party leadership.
Her decision comes in the wake of mounting tensions following her performances at National Resistance Movement (NRM) events, including President Museveni’s boda boda riders’ meeting and his nomination rally at Kololo, where she openly rallied youths to support the incumbent.
The move sparked outrage within the NPP executive, which accused Mayanja of misconduct and betraying the party’s principles.
Mayanja downplayed the accusations, expressing shock at how her colleagues handled the matter.
“I was surprised by how my party colleagues handled the matter. I first saw a letter on social media stating that I had been expelled, and that shocked me,” she said.
She defended her performance at the Museveni rally, saying it was part of her profession.
“I was surprised that the people I considered understanding are now taking small things so seriously. By singing at a rally, I was simply doing my cardinal job of singing, which many people have always known me for,” she explained.
Mayanja went on to announce that she had relinquished her position as party president.
“From today onwards, I am no longer the President of the National Peasants Party. I have realized that the people we lead the party with have different agendas. My goal is to work for the peasants and hustlers, and no one will stop me from lobbying for them,” she declared.
She further warned critics against abusing her for performing at Museveni’s event and revealed plans to endorse another presidential candidate in the coming campaign season.
“I will soon announce my next step, as well as the presidential candidate I intend to rally behind,” she said.
According to the leaders, her actions violated the party’s constitution and cast doubt on the party’s independence.
Shariff Sentongo Nambaale, the NPP Secretary General, revealed that the executive committee convened on the 25th of this month to deliberate on the matter.
He noted that Mayanja had been summoned to defend herself but failed to attend.
“Stecia has tarnished the name of our party, making people think we work with Museveni, which is not true,” Sentongo said.
“We invited her to explain herself and submit her academic documents, but she refused. Instead, she lied to us that her mother was sick, only for us to see her performing at Museveni’s rally.”
Sentongo also accused her of attempting to contest for the position of Kampala Woman Member of Parliament without presenting the required academic papers, an act he said undermined the party’s credibility.
He warned Ugandans against associating Mayanja with the NPP, saying selfish leaders were the reason many political parties in Uganda collapse.
Following her exit, NPP leaders confirmed that they are in the process of identifying a new president, although no replacements have yet been named.
The fallout has left political analysts questioning the future of the National Peasants Party, which had positioned itself as a grassroots alternative in the run-up to the next general election.
