Embattled former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga has said no one, including the party president, Robert Kyagulanyi, can expel him from the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Addressing the media at Parliament, Mpuuga said: “Let me now assure the entire NUP leadership, membership and supporters, and the general public. NUP is my party and I harbor no intentions of leaving like I said.”
He said NUP being a young party had several imperfections. Some of its young members, he said, are abusive towards him and other senior people in the party.
That is why he has to stay to try clean it.
“We must instill discipline in NUP. NUP is a young party there is still a lot of learning. I will not leave NUP. I am going to try to clean it of those who want to soil it,” Mpuuga said.
Mpuuga said while he does not have any personal issues with Kyagulanyi, he feels sorry for him.
“He has been everywhere trying to soil my name. But I am ready to talk to him. I am available but he is very busy,” Mpuuga said.
He said he decided not to attend a meeting of party MPs called by Kyagulanyi last week because it had no known agenda.
“I am the one who decides to attend a meeting. I was called but I did not see it’s importance. I don’t just attend meetings for the sake. I want meetings which have an agenda,” he said.
For most parts of the meeting, Mpuuga was calm although he at times raised his voice particularly when asked certain questions.
For instance, when asked whether he will step down as commissioner as demanded by his party, he responded in an angry tone: “I have already addressed that question.”
The NUP last week recalled Mpuuga as its commissioner following revelations that he received Shs 500 million as service award from Parliament. However, the decision is likely not to be enforced by Parliament whose rules stipulate that a commissioner can only be removed after a vote of more than two thirds of its members.
