By Aggrey Baba
In politics, grudges often last longer than memories, but Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja seems determined to break that rule. Like a mother calling her children back to the table after a stormy supper, she has chosen reconciliation over resentment, extending forgiveness to Onesmus Twinamasiko, the former Bugangaizi East MP and NRM flag-bearer who allegedly attacked her during the chaotic party primaries in July.
The two, publicly made peace during a meeting of NRM leaders in Kakumiro District over the weekend. The event, attended by party flag-bearers, local chairpersons and other mobilisers, turned into a rare scene of humility and forgiveness within the yellow camp.
Nabbanja narrated how the confrontation unfolded at the tally centre where votes from the NRM primaries were being counted, saying she had questioned figures that looked suspiciously higher than what she had genuinely earned, a move that triggered tension.
“They wanted to give me more votes than I had obtained to conceal their theft. I could not accept this, and then Twinamasiko attacked me,” the PM recalled.
According to her, the decision to challenge the tampered figures wasn’t about pride, but principle, because, according to her, even if the wind of deceit blows your way, one must stand where truth anchors them.
Having served as Kakumiro Woman MP since 2016, Nabbanja said she had decided to forgive Twinamasiko for the greater good of the NRM party unity ahead of the 2026 elections, stressing that all NRM members belonged to one family and should move past personal quarrels to focus on delivering votes for President YK Museveni and all NRM candidates.
Witnesses described the moment the Prime Minister stretched out her hand to Twinamasiko as “symbolic,” a gesture that melted months of hostility. The two shook hands to the applause of hundreds of local leaders who had gathered for the meeting.
Twinamasiko, clearly moved by the public reconciliation, admitted his mistakes and pledged to work with the PM in the upcoming campaigns. He said the NRM’s strength lies in unity, not division.
Observers say Nabbanja’s act of forgiveness could mark a turning point for NRM politics in Kakumiro, a district long known for internal factional battles. Her move, they said, shows political maturity and a rare sense of restraint in a climate where rivals often carry their political scars into future elections.
The PM, however, was not done with her message. She reminded party structures that the President’s campaign trail will soon reach Bunyoro in December and tasked them to oil the wheels of the yellow bus by showcasing the NRM government’s achievements.
“Let’s prove through action, not argument, that the NRM still stands as the backbone of Uganda’s progress,” she urged the cadres of the NRM.
Nabbanja’s handshake with Twinamasiko seemed to carry more than forgiveness, but symbolized a political rebirth, bringing to life the old African proverb, that “when two elephants stop fighting, the grass finally grows.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
