By Simon Turibamwe
NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba and Ruth Nankabirwa who is the government chief whip are in bitter split over the mistreatment subjected to NRM MPs who opposed the famous Magyezi Bill that amended the constitution lifting presidential age limit. 21 out of 27 NRM MPs who opposed the recent constitutional amendment bill tabled by Igara East MP Raphael Magyezi have been isolated by the NRM caucus, the recent case being the ongoing NRM MP retreat at Kyankwanzi leadership institute where they were not invited. Denial of invitation to the so called rebel MPs led by Rwemiyaga Constituency MP Theodora Sekikuubo has angered Lumumba describing it as bleach of the party’s constitution. This News website has learnt that Lumumba bitterly told off Nankabirwa that in case these people goes to court the party will be at a loss because they are full members of the NRM party and were sent by their voters to represent them on NRM ticket so there is no way they should miss out in any activity of the party especially where decisions are being made. Lumumba warned Nankabirwa to always be keen in taking decisions but not acting out of emotional. Lumumba also tasked Nankabirwa to defend herself on why the members were not invited to attend the retreat. Nankabirwa told Lumumba not be a coward before the rebel MPs who have decided to work with the opposition to counter every resolution of the NRM party. Nankabirwa dressed tight in a fitting attire further told Lumumba that she will never have any kind word for the rebel MPs because everyone in this country have witnessed how they have decided to work parallel against the party main stream including overlooking the Party Chairman. Nankabirwa went ahead to warn all MPs in attendance on how she is prepared to see any MP who issues statements concerning what has been discussed in Kyankwanzi without authorization punished. After these clashes Lumumba left the meeting and left her responsibilities with Richard Todwong and her whereabouts were not clear by the time President Museveni officially launched the retreat on Friday afternoon.
REBELS TO PETITION
The MPs who were locked out of the retreat have since threatened to drag the party to court for denying them invitations when they are full members of the NRM party. In a press briefing held at parliament, the MPs who included Tinkasiimire, Mbwatekamwa, Acidiri, Nsamba and Nambeshe said that if they had done anything wrong to the party, would have been subjected to the disciplinary committee but it has never been done. Tinkasiimire confirmed to the media that 21 out of 27 members of NRM who opposed the constitutional amendment to lift the presidential age limit were not invited to Kyankwanzi. He said there is no regret for their opposition to the lifting of the presidential age limit and the rape on the constitution because they were serving the interest of the majority Ugandan. On Wednesday, Rwemiyaga MP Theodora Sekikuubo said that his group is ready to oppose whatever resolution that will come from Kyankwanzi. While launching the retreat President Museveni warned NRM MPs to stop passing resolutions out of excitement that later becomes burden to the country. For Comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
