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NUP National organizing Secretary Dr Kanabi Moses interacts with the party members at Daudi Cotts. Photo/ Alex Pithua By Mike Rwothomio Zombo Tensions flared at a National Unity Platform (NUP) grassroots mobilization meeting in Zombo District, as party members
NUP National organizing Secretary Dr Kanabi Moses interacts with the party members at Daudi Cotts. Photo/ Alex Pithua
By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo
Tensions flared at a National Unity Platform (NUP) grassroots mobilization meeting in Zombo District, as party members voiced frustration with the leadership’s failure to provide meals and logistical support for participants engaged in a party structure formation exercise.
The incident underscores deeper challenges in party coordination and resource allocation, threatening NUP’s efforts to consolidate its political base in the region.
As part of NUP’s strategic initiative to strengthen its organizational framework nationwide, the party has been conducting grassroots mobilization across Greater Nebbi, beginning with Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo, with plans to extend to Madi-Okolo and other areas.
The meeting, held at Daudi Cotts in Paidha Town Council, drew hundreds of diverse participants, including youth, elders, and women, some traveling from distant areas such as Padea Town Council, Jangokoro, Athuma, and Abanga.
The exercise, overseen by Dr. Moses Kanabi, NUP’s National Organizing Secretary, commenced at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and successfully concluded with the election of representatives for the district’s party structure.
However, post-election proceedings descended into chaos when participants, expecting refreshments and transport allowances, discovered that no provisions had been made.
Frustrated youth, who had actively participated in the day-long activity, confronted Dr. Kanabi, demanding meals and compensation.
The situation escalated into a 30-minute altercation, with some youths accusing the leadership of poor planning.
One participant, identified as Bhakit, expressed discontent in the Alur dialect, stating, “You mobilized us early in the morning, yet you can’t provide a simple lunch. What kind of mobilization is this?”
Francis Ogen, another youth, criticized the party’s financial management, noting, “As the second-largest political party in Uganda, NUP receives government funding for party activities. Are they saying this event wasn’t budgeted for at the secretariat?”
Similarly, Okello, who traveled over 15 kilometers from Padea Town Council near the Uganda-DR Congo border, lambasted the leadership for failing to cover basic logistical needs, emphasizing that participants had already borne their own transport costs.
James Rwothungeyu, a newly registered NUP member, warned the leadership against organizing what he termed “sham” activities, reflecting growing disillusionment.
The situation worsened when Dr. Kanabi was temporarily confined within the Daudi Cotts premises after reportedly refusing to settle a bill exceeding UGX 200,000 for refreshments consumed during the event.
The venue’s administrator, enraged by the unpaid dues, ordered the gates closed and threatened to involve the District Police Commander to quell the mounting unrest.
After prolonged negotiations, Dr. Kanabi relented, leaving his vehicle to settle the outstanding bill at the counter.
Dr Kanabi deflected responsibility, stating, “I didn’t mobilize these people to come here. Let them resolve this with the local leaders.”
Local Leadership Responds
Patrick Anecho, interim NUP chairperson in Zombo, highlighted the resource constraints faced by local organizers, noting, “We’ve been using our own funds for secretarial services. How can we cover these bills without support?”
As Dr. Kanabi and his team departed, they faced jeers and derogatory chants from disgruntled youths, some of whom tore up their NUP membership cards, warning, “Don’t waste our time again for nothing.”
Earlier, Dr. Kanabi had urged attendees to serve as NUP ambassadors and “paint Zombo red” in the upcoming elections.
However, the disarray at this inaugural grassroots event has raised concerns about the party’s ability to sustain momentum in a district long dominated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which secured over 90% of the vote in the 2021 elections.
The incident highlights a breakdown in stakeholder engagement and logistical planning, critical components of effective political mobilization.
Newly elected NUP leaders expressed helplessness, with one stating, “This was a nationally organized event. The secretariat must streamline resource allocation to avoid such failures.”
The unrest also points to a lack of clear communication and expectation management between national and local party structures, exacerbating tensions among grassroots supporters.
Broader Political Context
Zombo’s entrenched NRM support presents a formidable challenge for NUP’s ambitions to disrupt the status quo.
Compounding local grievances is the ongoing neglect of the 119-kilometer Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Warr-Vuura road, a critical infrastructure project promised but not delivered by the government.
Many stakeholders who witnessed the fracas urged NUP leadership to adopt robust conflict resolution mechanisms and enhance logistical coordination to maintain credibility and sustain grassroots enthusiasm in its quest to challenge NRM’s dominance.