By Ivan Opio
The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), led by Joseph Kabuleta, has faced significant internal strife, culminating in the dismissal of key figures Moses Matovu and Charles Basajja.
Their actions, driven by divergent motives, threatened the party’s unity and mission as Uganda approaches the 2026 elections. Kabuleta’s decisive move to oust these individuals was not only justified but essential to safeguarding NEED’s integrity and political relevance.
Moses Matovu, the former spokesperson, joined NEED in 2022 and quickly rose to prominence. However, his repeated attacks on other opposition parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), contradicted NEED’s foundational principles of unity and constructive dialogue.
Kabuleta warned him against such divisive tactics, emphasizing that NEED’s mission is not to tear down others but to offer a positive alternative. Matovu’s persistence, coupled with his public alignment with the Democratic Party (DP) during their Mbarara elections—evidenced by his wearing a DP T-shirt and holding a party card—demonstrated disloyalty.
His apparent ties to the Democratic Alliance (DA), alongside frequent meetings with DA figures like Michael Mabbike and Samuel Mukaaku, suggest he was working to undermine NEED for external interests. Kabuleta’s decision to relieve Matovu of his duties was a necessary step to protect the party’s credibility and focus.
Charles Basajja’s betrayal runs deeper. A long-time friend of Kabuleta, Basajja joined NEED as a handyman but allegedly accepted a deal in 2021 from insiders of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to sabotage NEED in exchange for a future government position under Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
His calculated moves, including ousting former Secretary General Asuman Odaka and securing the position for himself through an ally at the Electoral Commission, reveal a deliberate attempt to destabilize the party from within.
Kabuleta’s revelation that Basajja coordinated his November 2022 arrest further underscores the gravity of his disloyalty. By summarily dismissing Basajja, Kabuleta neutralized a significant internal threat, ensuring that NEED’s leadership remains aligned with its vision.
The joint press conference by Matovu and Basajja, announcing Kabuleta’s 90-day suspension, was a desperate attempt to seize control. Their actions, driven by personal ambitions—Basajja’s hope for a PLU position and Matovu’s alignment with the DA—exposed their lack of commitment to NEED’s goals.
Kabuleta’s response was not merely a reaction to personal betrayal but a strategic move to preserve the party’s unity and public trust ahead of 2026. With opposition politics in Uganda often marred by infighting and external manipulation, Kabuleta’s housecleaning signals a commitment to a disciplined, principle-driven party.
By removing disloyal elements, Kabuleta has positioned NEED to focus on its economic empowerment agenda, free from internal sabotage, as it prepares to challenge the political status quo in the upcoming elections.
The author is a supporter of NEED and a concerned citizen based in Rubaga, Kampala.
