“You Do Not Own Busoga, So Relax” Museveni Fires Back At Kadaga In Heated NRM Meeting

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni openly clashed with First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga during a tense National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The confrontation arose as members debated the contest for the position of First National Vice Chairperson (Female), where Kadaga faces stiff competition from Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

Kadaga, visibly frustrated, accused the party leadership of sidelining her despite her decades of loyalty. She reminded delegates that she began her political journey in 1999 as an LC1 chairperson and had never abandoned the NRM.

“I have been in this party since inception. I have never joined another party. My loyalty is unquestionable,” she said, faulting the leadership for prioritizing Among, who has been in the NRM for only three years.

She further warned that subjecting the position to a contest could spark political backlash in Busoga, where she enjoys significant influence.

“If this goes to a contest, it will cause serious problems in my community. People will think you are not fighting me alone but an entire region. That is not good for Uganda’s politics,” she cautioned.

Kadaga also revisited her removal as Speaker of Parliament, describing it as a public humiliation that underscored what she sees as consistent targeting by the party.

President Museveni, however, firmly pushed back. He dismissed Kadaga’s claims and cautioned her against presenting herself as the sole political force in Busoga.

“Rebecca, you are wrong to say anyone is hunting you. And it is not true that without you we would lose support in Busoga. Busoga does not belong to you,” Museveni retorted.

The President reminded NEC members of his own role in defending the Basoga, recounting how his forces in the NRA and FRONASA protected the region and avenged atrocities committed under past regimes. He invoked the memories of leaders such as Ali Balunywa and Shaban Kirunda Nkutu, both of whom were killed under Idi Amin.

Museveni stressed that Kadaga’s attempt to link her personal ambitions to the wider Busoga community was misleading, arguing that party loyalty should not be framed as a regional threat.

The heated exchange concluded with NEC resolving that Kadaga and Among will face off in an election at the upcoming national delegates’ conference.

This showdown now sets the stage for a closely watched political battle – one that will test both NRM’s internal unity and the influence of regional power dynamics within the ruling party.