By Andrew Victor Mawanda Naimanye
Former presidential candidate and founder of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), Joseph Kabuleta, has come out strongly against his reported suspension from the party, calling it illegal and baseless.
Speaking during Sanyuka Morning Xpress show on Wednesday, Kabuleta asserted that he remains the legitimate President of NEED and its 2026 Presidential Flag Bearer.
“I am not under suspension,” Kabuleta said. “In any political party, the spokesperson does not chase the president. The party is governed by its constitution.”
Kabuleta stressed that, according to the NEED party constitution, only the party president, who also serves as the chief spokesperson, has the authority to convene NEC (National Executive Committee) meetings.
As such, he said the recent NEC meeting that reportedly suspended him was convened illegally and any resolutions made therein are null and void.
“Our party has a constitution which clearly states that NEC meetings must be convened by the party president,” he added.
“Whatever was communicated from that meeting should be disregarded.”
The suspension, which was announced last week by NEED spokesperson Moses Matovu, was said to last 90 days and was reportedly due to Kabuleta’s failure to appear before the NEC to resolve internal disagreements. Matovu claimed the decision was made to address issues amicably within the party structure.
Kabuleta has since dismissed those claims, questioning both the legitimacy of the meeting and the motives behind it.
“I am the President of NEED, and I will remain President until 2030,” he said. “I hold both the position of Party President and Presidential Flag Bearer. The so-called suspension is null and void.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction with how the media handled the story, arguing that some outlets failed to seek his comment before publishing reports.
“I don’t blame the media, but at the very least, they should have sought a comment from me,” Kabuleta said. “It’s clear that some individuals have been planted to destabilise political parties.”
Kabuleta's remarks come shortly after he unveiled his official poster for the 2026 general elections, reaffirming his commitment to contest for the presidency under the NEED banner.
He emphasised that he remains firmly in charge of the party and that no NEC meeting can take place without his sanction.
“We started this party with a clear mission,” he said. “I am fully in charge of my party, and the NEC meeting will convene only when I, as President and Chief Spokesperson, call for it. I will communicate any official resolutions.”
With the 2026 elections approaching, the unfolding internal conflict within NEED has raised questions about the party's unity and future direction.
All eyes are now on how both Kabuleta and his critics within the party will navigate the growing tensions.