By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The 2021 presidential loser, Joseph Kabuleta, also the President of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party, has axed two top party officials on the National Executive Committee (NEC) following their defection to rival political parties.
While addressing reporters in Kampala on Tuesday September 9, 2025, Kabuleta confirmed the dismissal of his Secretary General Charles Basajja, who allegedly joined the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU)
“Basajja has since joined PLU and is now actively promoting the Muhoozi project,” Kabuleta said. Therefore, he has been fired as the party’s Secretary General. His position will temporarily be filled by his deputy, Betty Nyafono, until the national delegates’ conference convenes to confirm her.”
Kabuleta also axed Moses Matovu, the party’s publicity secretary and spokesperson, saying he has ceased to be a member of NEED after crossing to the Democratic Party (DP).
“These individuals are no longer members of the party—not even the NEC,” Kabuleta asserted. Based on Article 80 of our Constitution, a person automatically ceases to be a member of NEED if he/she joins another political party or organization.”
Kabuleta said Article 80 outlines clear grounds for termination of membership, including death, resignation, joining another political party, or expulsion by the NEC.
He further warned that any executive member who attempts to forge alliances or affiliations with other political parties without express approval from the entire NEC sitting and chaired by him—would be deemed to have left the party.
“If any NEC member engages another political party without authorization from a meeting I convene, they will be treated as having joined that party in their individual capacity and will lose their membership in NEED,” Kabuleta emphasized.
He noted that while NEED does not rule out future political alliances, any such arrangement must be fully endorsed by the NEC through a formal process.
“NEED is not planning any alliance with any other party at the moment,” he said. “Should the opportunity arise, it must be a collective decision, endorsed by a meeting chaired by myself. Any unilateral action will be treated as defection.”
