By As Uganda prepares for the 2025 elections, the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) has indefinitely suspended two senior National Executive Council (NEC) leaders over allegations of aligning with other political parties.
NEED President Joseph Kabuleta announced the suspension of Mr. Moses Matovu and Mr. Charles Basaija during a press briefing in Kampala on September 9. According to Kabuleta, Matovu and Basaija were suspended for allegedly supporting the Democratic Party (DP) and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), respectively.
“Some of our NEC members have defected. Mr. Basaija joined PLU promoting Gen. Muhoozi’s project, and Mr. Matovu joined DP. They are not only suspended as NEC members, they are no longer members of NEED,” Kabuleta stated, citing the party constitution, which stipulates that a member ceases to belong to the party upon joining another political group.
Kabuleta further warned that any NEC member attempting to form alliances with other political parties without NEED’s express permission would be considered a defector and face suspension. “NEED is not planning any alliance with another party,” he added.
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The announcement comes after Matovu and Basaija had earlier, on August 1, 2025, issued a 90-day suspension against Kabuleta, accusing him of abuse of power, sectarianism, internal misconduct, and financial opacity. Despite this, Kabuleta proceeded with his presidential campaign roadmap, picked nomination forms, and suspended the two NEC leaders.
During the press briefing, Kabuleta also appointed Ms. Betty Nyafwono, his deputy, as the party’s secretary general, leaving the spokesperson position vacant. He launched a national fundraising drive to support NEED’s campaign activities, including posters, transport, and fuel, though he did not disclose a target amount.
Responding to the suspension, Mr. Matovu described it as illegal, arguing that Kabuleta was barred from holding any party activities during their 90-day suspension. “We will continue serving NEED as legitimate leaders while awaiting the conclusion of the 90-day period,” he said.
Matovu also denied defecting to DP, insisting that he merely supported DP candidate Richard Ssebamala as part of his role in the opposition. “Kabuleta has no evidence of my defection. He only saw a picture of me wearing Mr. Ssebamala’s T-shirt and holding a flyer, which he called a DP ticket. I challenge him to check the DP membership records,” Matovu added.
He criticized the suspension process, noting it was issued without prior notice and bypassed NEC structures that could have addressed the alleged shortcomings. “We will continue our duties, including overseeing the nomination exercise of party leaders,” he said.
Mr. Basaija declined to comment on the alleged PLU defection, directing inquiries to Matovu.
