By Aggrey Baba
The fight for the ruling NRM party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) Vice Chairperson (Female) seat is heating up, with First Deputy Prime Minister who’s also the Kamuli Woman MP Rebecca Kadaga launching her re-election campaign in Iganga, and Minister Persis Namuganza declaring an all-out war against Speaker Anita Among’s challenge for the same position earlier this week.
Though the seat is national, Kadaga chose to kick off her campaign in Busoga, her home region, drawing large crowds of party leaders, grassroots mobilisers and structure heads from across Busoga. The atmosphere was electric, but it was Namuganza’s explosive speech that stole the spotlight.
Namuganza, also the Bukono County MP and State Minister for Housing, lashed out at what she called a betrayal of Busoga and the NRM party by leaders who have abandoned Kadaga to back Among. She accused the Speaker of using money and political influence to “buy off” NRM leaders in Busoga in order to unseat a woman who, according to her, fought for the creation of the very position in the CEC.
“I cannot sit back and watch Busoga being taken over by intruders. Some of our people have been bribed to abuse and dump Kadaga, yet she has given everything to Busoga, Uganda, and the NRM.”
Namuganza accused Among of being a political opportunist with no rightful claim to Busoga, saying her marriage to a Musoga man doesn’t make her a Musoga.
“Busoga has many Salongos and Nalongos, producing twins doesn’t qualify her to speak for us,” Namuganza said, in a veiled jab at Among’s marriage and recent twin birth.
She warned that giving up the seat would be the beginning of Busoga’s downfall in national politics, arguing that Kadaga is the only political figure from the region whom even the President respects and fears politically.
“If we lose this seat, Busoga is finished. Even the President will no longer take us seriously,” Namuganza warned.
Reflecting on her own political experience, Namuganza recalled how ahead of the 2021 general elections, she had expressed interest in contesting for the same CEC seat. However, she was asked by the party’s National Chairman (Museveni) to step down in favour of Kadaga, citing her seniority and experience.
“Back then, I was told to wait because the position needed a seasoned leader. How come now, someone who has spent a short time in the party is allowed to challenge Kadaga? Do they now have more experience about NRM than I had then?” she asked, accusing the party of applying double standards.
Namuganza revealed that she is mobilising delegates from across the country to rally behind Kadaga and plans to lead a delegation to meet Museveni over what she sees as an unjust power play.
“I’m going to organise people to go and speak to the Chairman himself. This must stop,” she said.
She also promised to confront and deal with all Busoga leaders who have turned against Kadaga and are promoting what she called the “Team Mulamu” agenda, a reference to the speaker’s growing influence in Busoga via her marriage to Dufa President, Moses Magogo who hails from the same region. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
