The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party has suspended its president, Joseph Kiiza Kabuleta, for 90 days.
The suspension takes immediate effect, according to a press release issued by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday.
The party accuses Kabuleta of violating internal procedures and abusing his leadership role.
“The Party President self-declared as Party Presidential Flag Bearer without NEC or Delegates Conference approval, which contravenes Party processes and procedure,” the statement reads.
NEC further alleges that Kabuleta practiced tribalism by expelling executive members “on grounds of being Baganda and Banyarwanda.”
The committee also condemned his statement referring to residents of Lubaga as “slum dwellers,” saying it was “offensive and divisive countrywide.”
The statement notes that Kabuleta expelled NEC members without due process and tried to evict the party from its Lubaga offices without consulting the leadership.
“He was involved in the fraudulent termination and attempted eviction of Party offices and mismanagement of party assets, with no accountability or communication to NEC,” it states.
Kabuleta is also accused of skipping NEC meetings since his election. “Persistent and habitual absenteeism… indicates negligence of duty,” the release says.
The party raised questions over the source of funds used in party activities, citing “no financial disclosures or transparency.” NEC claims Kabuleta mobilized a Delegates Conference without approval and was operating a parallel faction.
In one of the more serious accusations, Kabuleta is quoted saying, “he is NEED Party and NEED is him,” which the party interpreted as an attempt to personalize the institution.
The party also faulted him for unilaterally declaring the relocation of the party’s headquarters without NEC consent.
He is further accused of undermining elected NEC members by branding them “imposters and disgruntled individuals.”
The statement adds that Kabuleta refused to engage with a five-member committee tasked with resolving the internal disputes and ignored official summons from NEC.
“During the 90 days’ suspension, he is not supposed to transact any Party business whatsoever,” NEC said.
This includes holding meetings, using party property, or issuing directives.
The party warned that “if he contravenes, the NEC will [take] extra measures.”
The Deputy National Chairperson will serve as acting party president during the suspension.