Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga has hit back at National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, over claims that Parliament rewards leaders before they’ve even worked.
Bobi Wine had accused Parliament of engaging in questionable financial practices, likening its budgeting process to paying performers before a concert even starts. In response, Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition, dismissed the analogy as misguided.
“When you believe that Parliament or Government operates like a concert manager—collecting revenue at the gate and spending it the next day—then your argument makes sense,” Mpuuga posted on social media.
His remarks followed Bobi Wine’s sharp criticism of Parliament during the Opposition’s presentation of its alternative budget for the 2025-2026 financial year.
The NUP leader condemned the institution for alleged misallocation of public resources, pointing to recent corruption scandals such as the iron sheets saga, where relief supplies meant for the vulnerable were reportedly diverted by government officials.
“This Parliament has been at the center of outrageous scandals,” Bobi Wine asserted. “Corruption is the currency of governance in Uganda, used to reward loyalty and silence critics.”
While Mpuuga did not directly address the corruption allegations, his response suggested he views Bobi Wine’s statements as a misrepresentation of how government finances function.
He implied that budget allocations and expenditures follow structured processes rather than spontaneous decisions.
NUP’s Internal Rift Widens
Mpuuga’s comments come amid rising tensions within NUP, particularly after he was removed as Leader of the Opposition and replaced by Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi in December 2023.
His dismissal followed revelations that he had received a Shs 500 million service award in his role as a parliamentary commissioner—a move that sparked outrage within the party.
The scandal placed Mpuuga alongside three National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary commissioners, who now face censure over similar payouts.
While Mpuuga has defended himself, insisting the funds were legally allocated, his stance has only deepened divisions within NUP.
Rumors of Mpuuga considering forming his own political party have further stoked tensions, with factions within NUP openly clashing over finances, leadership, and future strategy.
The deepening cracks could have major implications as Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections.
