NUP names parliamentary caucus leaders, warns MPs against corruption

The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has unveiled a new leadership team for its parliamentary caucus and cautioned its legislators against engaging in corruption, saying the party will take firm action against any member implicated in graft.

The caucus leadership was announced during the party's third parliamentary induction meeting held at its headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, on Monday.

Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze was named chairperson of the NUP Parliamentary Caucus, with Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina appointed her deputy.

Speaking at the event, the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Joel Ssenyonyi, urged the caucus leaders and members to uphold integrity and resist temptations that could draw them into corruption scandals.

"As has been our norm from the start, we have called upon our members to stand firm in situations that may tempt them to swindle public funds. We have come out strongly even against our own party leaders, and we hope no one reaches that level. Let us work for the people," Mr Ssenyonyi said.

He added that the party would continue to act decisively against any member found culpable of corruption.

"When we get any evidence of corruption, we shall deal with our members decisively. We now implore you, leaders of the caucus and the shadow cabinet at large, not only to speak against corruption but also to work actively to fight it," he said.

The remarks come against the backdrop of a long-running fallout between NUP and former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga.

In 2022, allegations emerged regarding a controversial parliamentary service award linked to Mr Mpuuga. The matter resurfaced prominently in 2024 amid public scrutiny over the management of parliamentary funds. The controversy eventually led to his removal from NUP leadership positions and deepened tensions between him and the party leadership.

In 2025, Mr Mpuuga formally left NUP and launched the Democratic Front, accusing his former party of unfair treatment, while NUP maintained that it could not tolerate corruption within its ranks.

Mr Gyaviira, who was recently appointed shadow minister for Finance, welcomed his election as deputy caucus chairperson, saying the responsibility placed on him by the party was a vote of confidence.

"It is challenging that my party has seen potential in me and, as a first-time Member of Parliament, they are entrusting me with all these positions. I will not let them down because my background speaks volumes about my integrity," he said.

Mr Gyaviira will hold the dual roles of dep