The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is bracing for a major showdown today as First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga goes head-to-head with Speaker of Parliament Anita Among for the position of First National Vice Chairperson (Female).
The vote is set to take place at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, in what is shaping up to be one of the most contentious internal elections in the party’s recent history.
Despite calls from the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for one of the two to step down in favor of party unity, both Kadaga and Among have refused to withdraw.
Kadaga: Party Favors Newcomers Over Loyal Cadres
In an emotionally charged speech over the weekend, Kadaga openly criticized the party for what she described as the marginalization of long-serving members in favor of recent entrants. She warned that such a trend could damage the party’s core values and internal cohesion.
“I have been a member of this party since its inception. My journey began in 1989 as Chairperson of RC1 in my village in Bunambutye… I have never belonged to any other political party,” Kadaga told delegates, receiving loud applause.
Kadaga questioned Among’s eligibility to contest for the influential position, citing the party’s own guidelines.
“Our party guidelines are clear. When one seeks office, they must demonstrate at least ten years of service to the Movement. Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among has only served three,” she asserted.
She also criticized what she termed as “impatience at the top”, saying she herself had served seven years as a backbencher before being appointed minister.
“Why should someone who has barely served three years rise to the top of the Movement?” she asked, warning that such moves could be perceived by her supporters as the party turning against her.
Kadaga reminded the party of her loyalty, referencing past moments of public humiliation that she endured without defecting.
“I took my people with me, and they stayed loyal to the Movement.”
She also raised concerns over concentration of power, questioning whether it would be acceptable for a male Speaker of Parliament to also contest for a key party leadership role.
“This isn’t just about personal ambition. It’s about fairness and the values we hold as a Movement,” she said, concluding with a pointed challenge to the President and senior party leaders:
“I am the most senior female leader in this party. How can the senior be asked to step aside for the junior? What precedent are we setting?”
Among: My Position as Speaker Demands a Seat at the Table
Speaker Anita Among defended her candidacy, arguing that her role in Parliament requires her to be part of the party’s top decision-making body.
“As Speaker of Parliament, I need to be in that position to pass laws that align with the vision and mission of the NRM. I must be part of the strategic body where the country’s direction is shaped,” she said.
Among acknowledged her relative newness in NRM’s senior leadership, but credited President Yoweri Museveni, who is also NRM Chairman, for standing by her right to contest.
“Without the democracy and patience of President Museveni, maybe I would have been thrown out of the race. But because he loves the party and values democracy, he said, ‘Let even the new ones participate,’” Among said.
“We are babies because of our age. If I had grown up earlier, maybe I would also have been an elder in the party,” she added.
While the internal election reflects a democratic process, concerns have emerged over the alleged use of financial influence within the party. Some members claim that well-funded candidates are using their financial muscle to marginalize others, a situation that could stir discontent within NRM’s ranks.
The contest between Kadaga and Among has exposed deepening fault lines within the NRM, representing a broader clash between experience and youth, tradition and ambition, and regional power dynamics.
As voting begins, many within the party and across the country are watching closely — not just to see who wins, but to understand what direction the NRM is headed in the run-up to the 2026 general elections.
