“I’m The One Who Fought For Busoga & Not You, So Don’t Think That You Own It” Museveni & Kadaga Face Off in Heated NRM Meeting

President Yoweri Museveni and First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga openly clashed on Saturday during a tense National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) at State House, Entebbe. The confrontation arose as the party discussed the race for NRM First National Vice Chairperson (Female), a position Kadaga is defending against Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

Kadaga made an emotional appeal to the delegates, warning that pushing her out of the race could destabilize the Busoga sub-region, where she holds strong influence. She highlighted her decades of service to the NRM, promoting Uganda internationally and supporting party campaigns. Kadaga questioned why Anita Among, already an ex-officio member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), was contesting the same seat. She described the move as unfair, insisting her long service deserved respect and consideration.

President Museveni, however, fired back strongly. He rejected Kadaga’s warning that her loss would alienate Busoga, reminding her that it was the liberation struggle led by the NRA, not individuals, that secured the region and Uganda from past oppressive regimes. Museveni cited Busoga’s painful history under Idi Amin and the UPC, including the killings of prominent leaders such as former minister Shaban Nkutu. He emphasized that it was the NRA and FRONASA fighters who avenged those deaths and restored peace, cautioning Kadaga against portraying herself as the only political force in Busoga.

While acknowledging Kadaga’s long service, Museveni criticized her for promoting what he called “wrong ideas” by suggesting Busoga belonged to her alone. He also dismissed claims that he orchestrated Among’s candidacy, saying the choice to run was for the delegates, not the president, to decide.

Anita Among defended her decision to contest, saying seniority should not block new leaders with fresh ideas. She pointed out that she had strengthened the NRM by bringing over ten opposition MPs into the party and stressed the importance of generational renewal, adding that “being new is not a crime.” Among also took a subtle jab at Kadaga, noting her own loyalty during the 2021 speakership race when others broke ranks to run as independents.

With tensions high and neither Kadaga nor Among backing down, Museveni ended the meeting by declaring that the issue would be settled at the NRM National Delegates’ Conference on August 27. He said the delegates themselves would make the final decision.

The upcoming conference now sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown between Kadaga and Among. The contest has exposed deep divisions within the NRM, brought Busoga’s political influence into focus, and intensified debates over loyalty versus generational change as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections.