Mityana Woman MP, Joyce Bagala has revealed that she has never deserted the National Unity Platform (NUP) and that her allegiance to the party continues.
In the past months, tensions between Bagala and NUP top leadership have grown over her close association with the party nemesis and former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, who is now linked to a new political outfit, the Democratic Front (DF).
Speaking on NBS Television, Bagala dismissed speculations that she was on the verge of defecting from NUP, further defending her close public appearances with Mpuuga.
"I'm working with so many other people who are actually not NUP. So, Mpuuga is my friend. I have worked with him, and very well. That does not mean that because he has gotten another party and gone his direction, and therefore I have the same direction. I'm still NUP, Mpuuga is Democratic Front, and we are still friends. That will not stop. I'm not a pretentious person," she stated.
Bagala also emphasised that political collaboration across party lines is not unusual.
"I have dealt with so many people aside Mpuuga who are in different political parties. I have worked with Besigye. I have never been in FDC where he was. I work with Ssemujju Nganda who is of PFF and we are still friends," she added.
*Strained Relations with NUP*
Despite her assurance of loyalty, Bagala's relationship with NUP has been on the rocks in recent months.
The party that endorsed her successful bid for Parliament in 2021, allowing her to unseat a powerful cabinet minister, now appears to be distancing itself from her.
She has faced accusations of defying party directives, skipping official meetings and activities, and showing continued loyalty to Mpuuga, who has since launched the DF, a political entity seen by many within NUP as a splinter and rival force.
Her return to NUP headquarters in Kavule on June 18, 2025, to submit her expression of interest forms ahead of the 2026 elections was marked by visible isolation.
Observers noted that while she completed the procedural formalities, she was coldly received, signaling her diminished influence within the party ranks.
Adding to her challenges, Bagala has recently been caught up in allegations of fraud.
In April, NUP spokesperson and Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi publicly accused Bagala and four other MPs of forging his name to secure an invitation to a two-week workshop in Kenya.
“They didn’t inform or consult me… so they impersonated me,” Ssenyonyi said in a strongly worded “fraud alert” statement, alleging that the group submitted a letter to the Speaker of Parliament listing him as the delegation leader without his knowledge.
As the 2026 general elections approach, Bagala's future within NUP remains uncertain.
While she insists she is still part of the party, her friendship with Mpuuga and rising tensions with top NUP officials could complicate her re-election bid and her long-term political prospects.