Former acting National Unity Platform (NUP) president Lena Zedriga reportedly stepped away from the role after facing several challenges while carrying out the responsibilities of leading the party in the absence of party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
According to reports, Zedriga felt the position had become difficult because she was expected to perform high-level political duties without enough financial and logistical support from the party.
Sources claim that Zedriga complained to close allies that she had been given a big responsibility but was not provided with the necessary facilitation to effectively execute her duties.
The acting NUP president role required her to travel across the country, attend events, represent the party leadership and participate in important political activities, which reportedly became financially demanding.
Reports indicate that Zedriga expected assistance such as transport, fuel and other allowances to help her perform the duties attached to the position.
However, it is alleged that the support she expected did not come, leaving her struggling to meet the demands of the office.
The reports further claim that Zedriga’s personal transport situation made her work even harder, as her old vehicle frequently developed mechanical problems.
On several occasions, she reportedly faced difficulties travelling to the party headquarters and other engagements because of transport challenges.
Sources quoted in the report claim that she sometimes had to use boda bodas or public transport to attend party activities despite serving as acting party president.
The situation allegedly made her feel that the party was not giving her the respect and support expected from someone holding such a senior position.
The report also claims that Zedriga expected a vehicle and regular facilitation from the party after being appointed acting president, but those expectations were not met.
According to the allegations, some party officials told her that NUP was struggling financially and could not provide the level of support she wanted.
The report further claims that she became disappointed over delayed or unpaid allowances connected to her responsibilities as a party leader.
One of the moments reportedly affecting her was when she had to attend the burial of Edith Katende, wife of NUP deputy spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro.
It is alleged that she struggled to secure fuel money before travelling to Luuka District for the burial ceremony.
Another incident mentioned was the burial of Taata Mbogo, father of Bobi Wine’s bodyguard, where Zedriga reportedly faced challenges travelling to the event.
According to the report, she used public transport for part of the journey and expressed frustration about the difficulties she faced while representing the party.
The report claims that Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi later offered her assistance, including transport support, after noticing the challenges she experienced.
However, some of her allies reportedly felt that the assistance given was not enough considering the position she held in the party.
The allegations suggest that these experiences contributed to Zedriga feeling unwanted and disrespected while serving as acting NUP president.
By the time Bobi Wine appointed John Baptist Nambeshe as the new acting NUP president, reports claim that Zedriga had already reduced her involvement in party activities.
The reasons surrounding her departure have generated discussion among NUP supporters, although the party has not publicly confirmed all the claims made about her exit.
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