‘I Didn’t Know What I Signed’ Kibalama Contradicts Self As He Sweats Plasma In Court Over NUP Ownership

The founder of the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP) that has since evolved into the National Unity Platform (NUP), Mzee Nkonge Kibalama is set to face criminal charges for filing false documents to the independent electoral commission for change of Party name.

Moses Nkonge Kibalama has denied having signed the party transitional documents with a sober mind. The former police officer who is supposed to be well versed with the law has told court that he did not know what he was signing.

“They(Bobi Wine and team) retained all the documents. I was traveling to Kayunga and it was late at 8pm. I tasked my secretary general to ascertain the authenticity of what we were signing,” Kibalama says

Kibalama also admits signing the change of name documents from NURP to NUP but he says it was an illegality

“Did you know giving out false information is a criminal offence? As a former police officer, you sat somewhere and you signed what ,” Bobi Wine lawyer cross examines Kibalama.

Kibalama also disputes the manner in which the name was hurriedly changed which he argues that it contravenes the political party act that is does not kowtow to the timeframe within which the changes were made. “The documents are not supposed to be signed 6 months after the delegates conference as per the political parties act,” Kibalama tells court.

“You say you do not like the new name. Then what has inspired you to like the name. Who are the other people interested in the name change?,” Bobi lawyer asks.

“It is not me who does not want the name, there are other political players who are interested,” Kibalama responds.

“If you had not been sidelined by the new leadership, we would not be here in court?,” Bobi lawyer asks.

“For me whether given a caution of what to do or not, I didn’t have any bad feeling about it. I just wanted the party to compete on the national political stage. My concern is with my colleagues of the old structures. They have been sidelined, not invited to execute party roles,” he says.

Kibalama is appearing before Court to pronounce himself about changing his affidavits in the case brought against him. Kibalama and former party secretary had sworn and signed affidavits that the party leadership and the name were changed after delegates’ conference which occurred in Kakiri.

Kibalama was last week summoned by High Court judge Musa Ssekaana to be questioned by lawyers of Robert Kyagulanyi on what prompted him to want to pull out of the sale agreement of his party, where he did not show up in court, amidst reports that he was being held by security agencies outside his home.

However the court session this morning, was interrupted for several minutes as police clashed with several journalists who it said could not be allowed inside the court room.

As the judge commenced the hearing, there was loud and continuously exchanges outside as the reporters demanded to be allowed in.

In this case, two members of the NUP are suing the party’s old administration under Mr Kibalama as well as the new leadership for what they call illegal change of name and leadership of the party.

The two members Difas Basile and Hassan Twala want court to order the Electoral Commission de-register the party on the basis of the alleged irregularities.

Last week, in a twist of events Mr Kibalama told court in a signed affidavit that he had been misled by Bobi Wine’s team to sell them his party.

He also claimed that the party acquisition process had not followed the right procedures and that they had provided falsified documents to the EC to facilitate its registration.