President Yoweri Museveni has appointed former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Minister of Internal Affairs Gen Kahinda Otafiire, and Gen Jim Muhwezi to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as historicals.
Her appointment to the party’s top organ comes amid ongoing bickering between her and the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, who has since assumed all the former roles of Speaker and NRM National Vice Chairperson (Female).
Last month, First Deputy Prime Minister Kadaga and State Minister for Lands Persis Namuganza skipped a National Resistance Movement leaders’ meeting chaired by President Museveni in Iganga, citing failure to receive invitations.
According to Museveni, the absence of Kadaga and Namuganza was linked to internal divisions within the NRM leadership in Busoga and an alleged failure by Speaker Among—who also serves as the NRM National Vice Chairperson (Female)—to invite them.
“Because of the divisions here in Busoga, Namuganza is not here. I spoke to my young sister Rebecca Kadaga and asked her whether she was coming for the meeting. She told me she was not invited,” Museveni said.
Museveni further revealed that he contacted Speaker Among to inquire why Kadaga had not been invited.
“She told me that all flag bearers were invited. You know I always act as a mediator. I called her again and told her that Kadaga said she was not invited. She asked me, ‘How did they invite me—through radio or what?’” Museveni recounted.
In December 2017, Kadaga played a pivotal role as Speaker of Parliament during the amendment of the Constitution to remove the 75-year upper age limit for presidential candidates, a change that allowed Yoweri Museveni to seek re-election. The amendment, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, also removed age restrictions for local government leaders.
Party has however not issued official communication.
Details to follow.
