Dr Bruce Muhangi Endebiika has taken over as Secretary General of the National Peasants Party (NPP), following the suspension of Sharif Nambale Ssentongo amid allegations of misconduct and internal disagreements.
Muhangi’s appointment comes at a time when the party is facing questions about its internal administration and its position on the proposed Consociational Democracy Agreement, a framework intended to promote political cooperation and address Uganda’s longstanding divisions.
In his remarks following the appointment, Muhangi made it clear that the party would not participate in discussions with government over the proposed agreement unless political prisoners are released and human rights are protected.
He specifically mentioned Counsel Erias Lukwago, Dr Kizza Besigye and Mufumbiro, alongside other people he said had been prosecuted and imprisoned on political grounds.
“Secondly, we cannot go into discussions with government when all political prisoners, including Counsel Erias Lukwago, including Dr Kizza Besigye, including Mufumbiro, including other members who were prosecuted and imprisoned on political grounds, are still in prison,” Muhangi said.
He said NPP had tasked government with ensuring the release of political prisoners, arguing that their continued detention would make meaningful engagement difficult.
The new Secretary General reiterated that the party would only consider discussions after the release of those detained and improvements in the protection of human rights.
His position places political freedoms and the treatment of opposition figures at the centre of the party’s response to the proposed agreement.
Muhangi assumes office after the party suspended his predecessor, Ssentongo, with immediate effect pending investigations.
According to a letter dated October 22, 2026, signed by National Consultative Council Chairperson Elias Wamala, Ssentongo was accused of failing to deliver Electoral Commission voters’ registers received ahead of the January 2026 presidential election.
He was also accused of causing divisions within the party, failing to account for party resources, locking party offices and denying members access. Other allegations included entering collaborations with members of other political parties without approval from the National Consultative Council, using abusive language and failing to attend a disciplinary committee meeting on October 14.
Ssentongo was instructed to hand over party documents, property and equipment as investigations proceed.
The proposed Consociational Democracy Agreement, based on a working paper by Professor Ogenga Otunnu and General Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Salim Saleh, advocates political inclusion, cooperation between parties, accountability and reforms to address marginalisation and sectarianism.
It also proposes electoral reforms, greater parliamentary cooperation and public oversight of its implementation.
Muhangi’s remarks suggest that, for NPP, any engagement around the framework must first be preceded by action on political prisoners and human rights.
