Kadaga should quit Kamuli woman seat, says rival

Kamuli District Woman MP aspirant Deborah Mwesigwa Mugerwa at a function. Photo by Moses Mutaka

KAMULI- Ms Deborah Mwesigwa Mugerwa, who is aspiring for the Kamuli District Woman MP seat, has denied claims linking her to former prime minister Amama Mbabazi.

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, in an interview with some local media on Monday, accused the former NRM party secretary general, who has since declared intentions to contest for presidency, of sponsoring candidates in different parts of the country.

An audio recording in which Ms Kadaga, the current Kamuli Woman MP, attacks Mr Mbabazi for allegedly trying to mobilise people in Kamuli to vote her out of Parliament, has been circulating in the district.

Addressing the media at Kamuli Guest House on Monday, Ms Mugerwa said the allegations are simply aimed at throwing into disarray her supporters, most of whom are also allied to the NRM faction loyal to President Museveni.

She insisted that it is time for Ms Kadaga to quit the seat.

Since Monday, word has been going around in the district that Ms Mugerwa is being sponsored by Mr Mbabazi. The other dossier making rounds was that she has quit the race in favour of Ms Kadaga.
This, she dismissed, saying it was the handiwork of Ms Kadaga’s political architects.

“Ms Kadaga is over qualified to represent women and it is time up for her to represent a full constituency and leave this position to women who want to strengthen affirmative action,” she said.

Giving the example of Works State minister Asuman Kiyingi, who was defeated in the 2010 NRM party primaries, but still contested as an independent and won the Bugabula South seat in 2011, Ms Mwesigwa said she too will contest as an independent candidate if she loses the primaries.