Closed NRM office splits party members
Kayunga District NRM party chairman Sazir Mayanja (L) and his secretary Joseph Ouma stand outside the locked office last Friday. Photo by Fred Muzaale.
What you need to know:
Divided. The office was closed in September last year by a group of youth who accused the district party leaders of being pro-Amama Mbabazi.
Kayunga- The closure of the NRM party office in Kayunga District is threatening to divide the NRM leadership there with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) vowing not to release the office keys until party Secretary General Kasule Lumumba or President Museveni intervenes.
The office was closed in September last year by a group of six NRM youth calling themselves the G6, led by the district NRM youth chairman, Mr Alex Kasirivu, with the full backing of the RDC, Ms Rose Birungi.
The youth claimed the office was being used by some party leaders in the district to canvass support for former NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi, who is said to be habouring presidential ambitions.
However, on April 16, Dr Hassan Galiwango, the NRM party director for administration, wrote to the district party chairman, Mr Sazir Mayanja, instructing him to reopen the office.
“The idea of opening the district offices was to bring services closer to the NRM fraternity. The closure of the office jeopardises the operations of the party,” Mr Galiwango’s letter reads in part.
In response to the letter, Ms Birungi, however, insisted the two top party leaders must intervene and solve the impasse.
The youth threw out the party’s administrative secretary, Ms Oliva Matama, Mr Mayanja and his secretary Joseph Ouma.
Mr Mayanja, however, denied claims that the office was being used to canvass support for Mr Mbabazi.
Last Friday, party leaders converged at the closed office and later held a meeting in which they resolved with the G6 youth to open the office.
However, by press time, the resolution was yet to be implemented.
