Kumanya-Kabonera MP Dr Abed Bwanika petitioned NUP leadership organ meeting to debate the party position on LGBT+Q amidst the ongoing rift between top leadership and MPs.
The legislator of Kumanya-Kabonera county in Masaka City Dr Abed Bwanika has petitioned NUP top leadership organ to discuss and pronounce the party position on LGBT+Q.
Dr Abed Bwanika has pened down a letter to the parliamentary Chief Opposition Whip hon Nambeshe John Baptist who doubles as the vice president of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Easter Region.
There’s a rift between NUP top leadership and MPs over the issues of the Parliamentary Commissioner hon Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba since the leaders of the party petitioned the speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Anita Among recalling Nyendo-Mukungwe legislator Owekitiibwa Mathis Mpuuga from the commission which he defied.
Earlier this week, the speaker of the Parliament Rt. Hon Anita, replied to the letter of NUP secretary general Mr David Lewis Rubongoya recalling commissioner Mpuuga, informing him that the party has no legal mandate to recall parliamentary commissioner whatsoever.
It’s alleged that LGBT+Q rights activists amounted pressure onto NUP top leadership to drop him from the post of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and they’re behind the ongoing conflict between hon Mpuuga and his party top officials.
MP Dr Abed Bwanika’s letter in full;
25th, March, 2024
Hon. Nambeshe John Baptist
Deputy President – National Unity Platform- Eastern Region
& Chief Opposition whip
Subject; Petition for a meeting of a lawful organ to debate and pronounce the Party Position on LGBT+Q.
The above matter refers and your humble Petitioner states as follows:
That fears prevalent in public realm that our Party – the National Unity Platform either by association or omission abates and promotes homosexuality.
That the NUP President- Robert Kyagulanyi’s interview on the British Broadcasting corporation in December, 2023, raised a lot of controversy and the net effect that the Party is friendly and supports LGBT+Q, as opposed to the Uganda Anti Homosexuality Act and Penal Code Act.
That during the said interview, the NUP President – Robert Kyagulanyi is also reported to have stated that all NUP Members of Parliament who voted in support of the anti-homosexuality act were working contrary to the National Unity Platform stand on LGBT+Q and majority had been compromised by President Museveni.
That on another French media channel, NUP President Kyagulanyi is quoted to indicate that LGBT+Q rights are among people’s rights that will be respected if at all the NUP takes charge of the Ugandan government. “We are firm believers in human rights for all Ugandans, I can assume that if you come to power you will change or repeal that law, I would respect human rights of all Ugandans”. What is included in human definition by NUP President Kyagulanyi calls for clarity.
That NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi has severally been pictured attending meetings organized or sponsored by international LGBT+ Q activists and sponsors including; Rev Jesses Jackson and US secretary for Transport Pete Buttigieg, Rainbow PUSH Coalition Annual Conference in Chicago.
That it has been observed that LGBT+Q sponsors and organisations have in the past 4 months given awards to the NUP President – Robert Kyagulanyi, in recognition of our Party’s struggle in the promotion of all human rights, including the rights of LGBT+Q.
Further that the NUP President dress code has tremendously evolved to suit the colours and fashion of the LGBT+Q as evidenced by the “Bell bottom fashion dress and purple colours” during the BAFTA award ceremony in London.
That in the grapevine, word goes that the LGBT+Q lobby extends to the Party huge amounts in financial support, which was basis for the pressure mounted on the Party top leaders to remove Ex Leader of opposition – Hon Mathias Mpuuga because of his LGBT+Q stand.
NOW THEREFORE by the fore going, your humble Petitioner prays that a meeting of a lawful organ of the Party be convened at the fastest instance to debate and pronounce an unequivocal position of the National Unity Platform on LGBT+Q. The same should be publically stated to calm the hearts of many Ugandans especially parents who are worried about their youthful children under NUP who may be molested or introduced to this vice which contradicts our values and culture.
Yours Sincerely
Dr. Bwanika Abed (MP)
Kimaanya – Kabonera Division, Masaka City
CC. Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu,NUP Party President,
CC. Deputy President NUP, Central
CC. Deputy President NUP, Northern
CC. Deputy President NUP, Western
CC. Secretary General, NUP
CC. Hon. Joel Bisekezi Senyonyi, Leader of Opposition & Party Spokesperson
