By Our Reporters
On Friday, President Museveni travelled to Kyankwanzi where he addressed NRM MPs who continue to be there for the ruling party’s Parliamentary Caucus 8 days retreat. This was day 2 and naturally, Museveni’s presence created a euphoria and MPs became cheerful like never before. First on the microphone was Government Chief Whip (GCW) and retreat chief convener Ruth Nankabirwa who (for the President’s benefit) run through what had transpired so far before inviting Premier Ruhakana Rugunda to make brief remarks and invite the President to make his address. The manner in which Nankabirwa exaggerated Rugunda’s importance caused discomfort prompting protestations from mostly MPs from Buganda who loudly wondered why the Kiboga Woman MP was over glorifying Rugunda without sufficiently recognizing the country’s number two (VP Sekandi) who was also in attendance. Accepting her mistake, Nankabirwa quickly amended her approach and suddenly started recognizing Sekandi insisting he was equally the other important big man in the house. “How do you breach protocol like that: asking the Prime Minister to be the one to invite the President when the Vice President is present?” one MP protested before others joining in chorusing demands that Nankabirwa (who is rumored to be menacingly eyeing the VP job) begins treating Sekandi more fairly. Seemingly embarrassed, Rugunda surged forward and got the microphone calling for calmness in the room as the noise-making and pro-Sekandi heckling continued. Nankabirwa left the podium for Rugunda who made a few remarks and invited Sekandi as legislators chanted VP’s name. It was Sekandi’s moment to shine as MPs wildly cheered each time his name was mentioned or any reference made to his office. The unusually well-dressed Sekandi came to the microphone and he appeared to be cheerful like never before. Uncharacteristic of him, Sekandi went native praising his boss the President in a manner that some construed as aimed at comforting him that “look here my boss however much these people flatteringly praise me, I’m in no mood to threaten your job like ex-Premier JPAM did.” Sekandi, who is renowned for fearing Museveni to the extent he never allows to be perceived as interested in the big seat, praisingly referred to Museveni as “a leader of unique stamina.” He went on to refer to what Museveni was about to deliver as the very important “speech of the century.” Sekandi, who was cynically cheered by many MPs, then proceeded to invite the President. At the start of his speech, Museveni fondly referred to his VP sparking prolonged cheering which continued each time reference was made to the VP. It remains unclear why Nankabirwa, who the previous day had been contradicted by NRM SG and predecessor Kasule Lumumba, had initially overlooked Sekandi. She exhibited remorse but some MPs seemed reluctant to accept her apology.
LUMUMBA, GCW WAR
According to one of the state-owned newspapers, on Thursday Lumumba fearlessly took on GCW Nankabirwa vehemently protesting the exclusion of rebel MPs including JB Nambeshe, Barnabas Tinkasimire, Monica Amoding, Patrick Nsamba, Theodore Sekikubo and others. That Lumumba got the microphone and accused Nankabirwa of breaching the NRM Constitution. The state media, relying on its sources inside the caucus, says Lumumba eloquently argued that diversity of opinions shouldn’t be criminalized to the extent of becoming the ground for the exclusion of MPs who are fully-fledged members of the party. That Nankabirwa stood her ground insisting that by opposing most of the things NRM initiates, the rebel MPs had constructively joined opposition and ceased to be NRM party members. On Friday as Museveni spoke, Lumumba was nowhere to be seen prompting Nankabirwa to introduce Deputy SG Richard Todwong as sufficient to represent NRM secretariat. Speaking with a lot of fondness, Nankabirwa also provocatively introduced NRM EC Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi (she curiously referred to him as Dr. Tee) who is renowned for being a leading foe to Kasule Lumumba. In its Saturday edition, the state-owned newspaper implies that Lumumba’s absence on Friday and the manner in which Nankabirwa gratified Tanga was all aimed at getting back at the SG avenging her outspokenness during the Thursday session.
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