“No Facilitation, No Support”: Why NUP’s Zedriga Reportedly Stepped Down as Acting President

Former acting National Unity Platform (NUP) president Lena Zedriga reportedly stepped away from the role after becoming frustrated by what sources described as inadequate financial and logistical support from the party.According to reports, Zedriga complained to close allies that she had been handed a demanding political responsibility without the facilitation needed to effectively perform her duties.As acting president, she was expected to travel across the country, attend party events and represent NUP at major political activities.

However, sources claim she struggled with transport, fuel and other expenses.Her reported transport challenges allegedly made matters worse. Her old vehicle frequently broke down, forcing her on some occasions to rely on boda bodas or public transport to attend party engagements.Sources further claim that Zedriga expected a vehicle and regular facilitation after taking on the senior role, but those expectations were not met. Some party officials reportedly told her that NUP was facing financial difficulties.One incident allegedly occurred when she was expected to attend the burial of Edith Katende, wife of NUP deputy spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, in Luuka District. Reports claim she struggled to secure fuel money for the journey.She reportedly faced similar difficulties while travelling to the burial of Taata Mbogo, father of Bobi Wine’s bodyguard, with claims that she used public transport for part of the journey.

The reports further claim that Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi offered her transport assistance after noticing some of the challenges she was facing.According to the allegations, the repeated difficulties left Zedriga feeling unsupported and frustrated with the demands of the office.Her departure came as NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, appointed John Baptist Nambeshe as the new acting party president.NUP has not publicly confirmed all the claims surrounding Zedriga’s reported departure, leaving questions over what exactly led to the change in the party’s leadership.