“I Was Publicly Humiliated When I Was Removed As Speaker & I Took It Easy, How Much More Can You Push A Person?” Rebecca Kadaga Tells Off Museveni

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting took a dramatic turn when former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, openly challenged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The heated exchange unfolded during debate over the contested NRM Vice Chairperson seat, a race already stirring deep emotions within the ruling party.

Speaking with visible emotion, Kadaga revisited her ouster as Speaker, describing it as a painful humiliation that she had endured in silence.

“I was publicly humiliated when I was removed as Speaker, and I took it in good stride. How much more can you push an individual?” she asked, her words cutting through the hall and leaving many NEC members silent.

The rare moment of defiance underscored the long-running tension between Kadaga and sections of the NRM leadership, particularly her strained relationship with the President. For many in the room, her remarks were nothing short of a bold challenge to Museveni’s authority in a forum where few dare to confront him.

The confrontation comes at a time when the party is grappling with internal rifts and power struggles over key leadership positions. The Vice Chairperson contest has not only pitted strong personalities against one another but also exposed broader grievances from members who feel marginalized in party decision-making.

Observers noted that Museveni did not let Kadaga’s words pass quietly. The President, known for his firm grip on party proceedings, engaged her sharply—signaling just how sensitive the leadership contest has become. Several insiders described the session as one of the most charged NEC meetings in recent years.

Yet Kadaga’s boldness resonated with some members, who felt she had voiced frustrations shared by many but rarely expressed. Her pointed question, “How much more can you push an individual?” struck a chord with those calling for greater internal democracy and respect for long-serving leaders.

As the NRM prepares for critical internal elections, the Museveni–Kadaga clash has laid bare fractures within the party hierarchy and raised questions about how far dissent will be tolerated. For Kadaga, the confrontation has once again thrust her to the center of Uganda’s political debate—a space she has never shied away from.