By obbo Yusuf
The National Resistance Movement NRM party leadership in Busoga region has broken silence about former Kigulu South legislator Andrew Kiiza Kaluya defecting to National Unity Platform (NUP).
While addressing Journalists today morning, NRM Iganga chairperson Hajji Abubaker walubi has refuted allegations and claims that the ex-member of parliament Andrew kiiza Kaluya has been an NRM but rather he has been an independent candidate in all races right from 2016.
“I want to clear the air on what is trending that the former kigulu south MP Andrew kiiza Kaluya has defected to NUP, Kaluya has never been a member of NRM though he has been closely working with NRM, and the said candidate played a big role when we wanted to remove the Age limit. He was at frontline in changing the Constitution so that president Museveni can be able to stand again “said Hajji Abubaker Walubi.
Hajji walubi Abubaker also thanked the security team for not responding to what he referred to as games played by Nup camp and hon Kaluya to attract police attention, create panic in place and confrontation for NUP political mileage.
Andrew kiiza Kaluya joined Kigulu south constituency Mp race in 2016 on Independent ticket after withdrawing from the NRM primaries thus leaving Asuman Kyafu and Milton muwuma to compete for the NRM card and later Asuman Kyafu emerged the won but Milton instead backed Andrew Kiiza Kaluya to help him defeat Asuman Kyafu. However, in 2021-2026 race, Kaluya was defeated by Milton Muwuma
Hon. Kaluya on 5th -Nov-2022 Saturday officially joined National Unity platform (Nup) and was welcomed by the Party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi wine on an event attended by thousands of supporters and members of National unity platform at Andrew kiiza Kaluya’s home in Nakalama Bukyaye, village Iganga district.
At the function Hon. Kyagulanyi urged all NRM supporters who have been used and dumped to join NUP which is working in People’s interest and working towards changing the leadership of the country.
“Whenever you keep quiet after getting peanuts your betraying and selling off your own country,You have the powers and that power is only determined when you do the right thing for the people you lead ,let’s lead them in liberating Uganda. I call upon my aunt Rebecca Kadaga, Mosses Balyeku, Hajji Walubi Abubaker and many others used and dumped by NRM to join NUP. “says Robert Kyagulanyi.
Bobi wine used the event to reveal how he convinced Hon Kiiza Kaluya to join the Opposition long time before even meeting in the 10th parliament. He said after realizing that they shared some similar values with Kaluya they become close friends and his journey to join opposition has been in pipeline for sometimes asking the people to support him.
Kyagulanyi also alerted the new member about the tricks and all sorts of violence that the governmentt and it’s security forces use against oppositions like arrests without any case, use of teargas, firing live bullets to his supporters and block his meetings and movements but asked him to be strong and remain determined and never to lose hope because he has many people following him .
While addressing a mammoth of people, Kaluya appreciated Kyagulanyi for being a true opposition man, a man who has Uganda at heart saying he has been studying and following him keenly for so long before arriving to the decision of joining him.
“My heart turned opposition long time ago ,it’s not today or this year like many of your think ,it’s some time back ,just like how Bobi wine has told you, we met in parliament and we had many things in common, taking people’s concern first and Uganda at heart drives us first.
Nrm party and its members don’t appreciate at all, they are greedy and we have been disagreeing on many points now that I have crossed to a party that fully represents the people’s concern it’s time we have things change. Bobi wine I welcome you to my home, the people of kigulu south love you so much ” said former kigulu south Mp Andrew kiiza Kaluya .
Kongola Nasser the NUP registrar in Iganga Kigulu south says NUP Busoga has started fishing big wigs to make sure that they position themselves well in every district and constituency they didn’t perform well in the recent elections.
Nasser added that the party is on ground and many more will be joining NUP within a short period of time from NRM .
“Our parents and grandparents contributed much to bringing president museven into power thinking he will liberate the nation, it’s unfortunate that who was people’s hope is now laughing at us. As Busoga we were surprised to hear president museveni wondering about the high rate of poverty in our region yet he is strongly part of what Busoga is ,our people were great hustlers but look where we are now everything has been lost in the hands of government and bad governance ” saidKongola Nasser .
Andrew kiiza Kaluya has joined Nup at the time when most of the Busoga Nup leaders are divided over various reasons but Kaluya has promised to seek all avenues to create unity among the party leaders more especially those of Iganga where he has much support .
