The current civil war in the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, after defying Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga’s call for reconciliation among the party leadership, has shaken institutions, including the Buganda Kingdom.

The war, which stems from Mpuuga’s corruption allegations in parliament, has made social media a battleground for NUP’s President, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, and his supporters against Mathias Nsamba Mpuuga, a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) who is also doubling as the party’s Deputy President in charge of Buganda.

Mpuuga’s recent suspension from the position of Deputy President in Charge of Buganda by Kyagulanyi depicts NUP’s defiant undertones towards the Buganda Kingdom because Katikiro asked NUP leaders to choose harmony over fights.

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the leaders of NUP, including Joel Ssenyonyi, LoP, Lewis David Rubongoya, the Party Secretary General, some party MPs, and councillors, accompanied by foot soldiers, stormed Buganda Palace at Mengo to meet the Prime Minister of Buganda Kingdom, Mayiga.

During the meeting at Mengo, Mayiga asked NUP leaders to respect and bear with one another, saying that being a leader makes one experience and move with people of different characters.

However, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, Kyagulanyi suspended his deputy, an act against Mayiga’s gospel of respect, tolerance, and forgiveness. This literally means NUP learned nothing and forgot nothing! Mpuuga’s suspension confirms the recent media allegations that NUP’s president and supporters disrespect and abuse the Kabaka.

This was established by Ssenyonyi on Wednesday while briefing the foot soldiers before they moved to Mengo. In the book of John, Chapter 14, Verse 21, Jesus said that whoever hears his commands and obeys them is the one who loves him.

How can leaders of the NUP say they respect Kabaka when they don’t obey his word of counsel and that of his ambassador? Last year, Mpuuga warned that he would not leave NUP supporters who abuse the Kabaka to go unpunished.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, before his suspension, Mpuuga vowed to remain in the party and embark on a process of instituting internal party reforms to make it a credible and competent government in waiting. However, it seems his dream was frustrated upon arrival, since it may be difficult for Mpuuga to influence reforms in the NUP party without.

The central region has been known for being a stronghold for the NUP party. However, with the party leadership defying the Buganda Kingdom’s call for reconciliation, where does it leave the party in the political space come the 2026 general elections?