Museveni and Kadaga Clash in Heated NRM NEC Meeting Over Vice Chair Position
ENTEBBE – A meeting of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) top leadership turned explosive on Wednesday as President Yoweri Museveni publicly rebuked First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga over her bid to retain the party’s First National Vice Chairperson (Female) position.
The tension at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Entebbe stemmed from Kadaga’s challenge by the current Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, setting the stage for a major internal party showdown.
Kadaga’s Fiery Defense: Loyalty and Humiliation
In a passionate address, Kadaga, the incumbent vice chair, accused the party leadership of sidelining long-serving loyalists in favor of newcomers. She pointedly questioned the eligibility of her rival, Speaker Anita Among, who she said joined the NRM only three years ago.
“When you fill the expression of interest form, you are asked what you have done for NRM in the last ten years. Those guidelines have not been changed,” Kadaga charged. “The person aspiring to this office has only worked for three years… We cannot gerrymander the rules.”
Drawing loud applause from delegates, Kadaga recounted her decades of service, starting as an LC1 chairperson in 1999, and stated her loyalty was “unquestionable.” Her speech took a deeply personal turn as she referenced her removal from the Speakership.
“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, before issuing a stark warning. “If this goes to a contest, it will cause serious problems in my community. You may think you are fighting me, but you are fighting a bigger community.”
Museveni’s Sharp Rebuke and “Win-Win” Proposal
In a rare and direct public counter, President Museveni cut in, chastising Kadaga for invoking the Busoga region to defend her seat. “Rebecca, you don’t own Busoga. You were not there when I was working with the previous kings, so you should sit down,” the President said firmly, sparking murmurs in the room.
Museveni defended the Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) impartiality, stating it could not legally disqualify any candidate without a strong reason and that other aspirants had been persuaded, not forced, to step down voluntarily.
He revealed he had attempted to broker a compromise to avoid a divisive election. “My way is always win-win; I don’t like win-lose. I proposed that the two of you agree — one steps down, and I would nominate the other to CEC. But since no one wants to be guided, we leave it to the delegates to decide.”
Kadaga Questions Fairness as Showdown Looms
Kadaga also raised a procedural concern, questioning why Speaker Among, who already sits on the CEC ex-officio, was contesting for an elected seat on the same committee. “How can one person sit in two positions? This sends a wrong signal about fairness in our party,” she argued.
She concluded with a warning that replacing seasoned leaders with recent converts would erode the party’s foundation. “If we allow someone to come today and immediately become head of the party, what message are we sending? Are loyalty and commitment no longer valued in NRM?”
With neither side backing down, President Museveni closed the debate by throwing the matter to the party’s grassroots. “Since no one is willing to be guided, let the people decide. We go to elections at the delegates’ conference and settle this,” he declared.
The decision sets up a high-stakes electoral contest between Kadaga and Among at the upcoming NRM National Delegates’ Conference, exposing deep rifts within the ruling party as it begins its preparations for the 2026 general elections.
