Museveni Scolds Kadaga in NRM NEC Meeting, Sparks Busoga Protest Calls
KAMPALA – A heated exchange erupted during the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni publicly rebuked First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli Woman MP, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
In response to Kadaga’s complaints that she was being sidelined within the party and that permitting Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among to contest against her would create political tensions in Busoga, Museveni bluntly told her:
“Rebecca, you don’t own Busoga. You were not there when I was working with the previous kings, so you should sit down.”
The sharp remarks have sparked outrage among sections of the Basoga community, many of whom view Kadaga as a regional icon and voice of their people. Critics accuse the President of humiliating her and dismissing the struggles of Busoga.
Community members and opinion leaders have since called for solidarity in defending Kadaga’s legacy, urging Basoga to reconsider their loyalty to the ruling NRM government. They argue that President Museveni has failed to deliver meaningful development in Busoga, pointing to the collapse and sale of factories, neglected infrastructure, and persistent poverty across the region.
“Busoga must show Museveni that without our votes and without Kadaga, he is out. The time has come for a protest vote,” one rallying voice declared in reaction to the confrontation.
The political rift comes at a sensitive time as Uganda heads towards the 2026 elections. Analysts say Kadaga’s standing in Busoga, coupled with growing frustrations over unfulfilled government promises, could weaken NRM’s dominance in the region if the dispute escalates.
As tensions simmer, the episode underscores deep cracks within the NRM leadership and raises questions over how Museveni will manage internal dissent without alienating key regional power brokers.
