Peasants Party Leadership Dispute Deepens as Nambale Fights Suspension

What the report says

The National Peasants Party is facing a deepening internal dispute after a faction led by presidential candidate Robert Kasibante announced the suspension of former Secretary General Shariff Nambale Sentongo over alleged misconduct. According to the faction, the action was based on accusations that Nambale cooperated with other political groups and failed to account for campaign funds. The group also said it had set up an interim leadership committee to manage party affairs until a national delegates’ conference elects a substantive executive.

The announcement was made at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba, where Elias Wamala, chair of the National Consultative Council, introduced the interim structure. Under the arrangement, Kasibante would head the committee, Bruce Muhangi would serve as interim secretary general and Thomas Bagonza would act as spokesperson. The faction also urged the public to recognize the new leadership and not deal with Nambale in his former capacity.

Nambale rejected the suspension, saying those behind it lacked the authority to remove him and were acting out of personal interest. He described himself as a founding member of the party and argued that Kasibante was only the party’s presidential candidate, not its president. He also questioned Kasibante’s understanding of the party constitution and said the issue of legitimate leadership should be settled under party rules.

The dispute highlights ongoing instability in the opposition party and underscores the broader challenge of leadership wrangles in Uganda’s political organizations. The party says it plans further mobilisation and community outreach while awaiting a delegates’ conference that could settle its leadership question.