Former Independent presidential candidate Joseph Kabuleta has launched the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) as his new political party at their headquarters offices in Bugolobi, a Kampala Suburb.
According to Kabuleta, NEED under its slogan “Money in Your Pocket” is hinged on empowering Ugandans with economic power to change their standard of living and standout in the ever changing economy.
The party has chosen a maize cob🌽 as its emblem signifying agricultural growth and productivity, which Uganda has great potential. The official party colours are black and white, deviating from the maroon and orange he formerly used under NEED platform, a pressure group.
The party has replaced the Peoples’ United Movement which was registered in October 2005 with the Independent Electoral Commission.
Shadrach Ogemba who has been the party president has officially handed over the party constitution and certificate of registration to the newly elected party President, Joseph Kabuleta.
Unveiling the party on Monday afternoon, Mr Kabuleta said the party aims at encouraging Ugandans to demand and restore their lost property such as land and mineral deposits and said he hoped to unite the fragmented opposition seeking to oust Yoweri Museveni, 77, who has been in power since 1986.
The new political party that started as a political pressure group has metamorphosed into a political party seeking to help bolster economic advocacy.
Kabuleta launched a scathing dig at President Museveni —accusing the long time leader of attaching his name to national resources such as oil, gold and iron ore and in the process unfairly pocket their probably proceeds at the expense of the country.
“For instance, for the past few years, Uganda has been getting in excess of USD 1 billion worth of gold every year, but that money is not even reflected in the national budget as an income for the nation. Because one greedy man has been taking all the proceeds for himself and his family. $1 billion, not even reflected as an income in the budget. There are so many other extractions that are coming out of the soil,” he said.
Kabuleta also a former journalist, has joined a long list of vocal critics— challenging president Museveni’s long-time leadership, hoping to harness deep dissatisfaction among younger, more educated and often urban voters.
“I invited Ugandans from walks of life to come and join us as we move and create economic empowerment for our people and reverse all these three and a half decades of poverty revolution led by Mr. poverty himself,” he said, adding that:
“I want to tell you that change will definitely happen. It’s a matter of when. It cannot be avoided. Secondly, the change that NEED proposes will be to the benefit of everyone. It’s a matter of when. It cannot be avoided. Secondly, the change that NEED proposes will be to the benefit of everyone. We are not proposing the kind of change that causes disruption disorder or that seeks to settle old scores as if we have vendettas against anybody. That’s not who we are. We are not a vindictive people in our relentless pursuit, for a bright future for Ugandan shall have very little time to look to the past. Because we just so be engaged in working out a future that benefits all of us. So therefore, nobody has anything to fear about what we are proposing for this country.” he added.
“We are not proposing the kind of change that causes disruption disorder or that seeks to settle old scores as if we have vendettas against anybody. That’s not who we are. We are not a vindictive people in our relentless pursuit, for a bright future for Ugandan shall have very little time to look to the past. Because we just so be engaged in working out a future that benefits all of us. So therefore, nobody has anything to fear about what we are proposing for this country.”
The delegates have also elected Evelyn Lakel as the Vice President, Odaka Asuman as Party Secretary-General and Shadrach Ogemba as head of the elders’ council.
However, analysts say the incumbent leader continues to benefit from a powerful patronage network, a long-established political machine and links to big business, as well as support from the military or other security forces
