Museveni to name new NRM secretary today

Kampala-The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling NRM party is expected to meet today in State House Entebbe to among others, hear President Museveni’s choice of the party’s first appointed general secretary following last week’s constitutional amendments.

Sources named Information minister Rose Namayanja as President Museveni’s preferred choice. She also earlier contested for position of deputy SG but Ms Dorothy Hyuha took the seat.

President Museveni last month appointed the Nakaseke District woman MP to head a six-member team to popularise government programmes ahead of the 2016 elections. Ms Namayanja has since told the people of Nakaseke that she would not be seeking re-election in 2016 polls. Ms Namayanja was not available for comment.

Others include presidential adviser on political affairs Moses Byaruhanga, Nwoya MP Richard Todwong, who has said once appointed to any position, he would gladly retire from elective politics to serve the party.
Ms Hyuha, former deputy secretary general, who lost her job in the recent amendments to the party constitution, is tipped to replace trade minister Amelia Kyambadde as party treasurer. Mr Singh Katongole is expected to retain his job as the deputy treasurer.

Without delving into the agenda of today’s CEC meeting, the Minister for Presidency, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, yesterday told Daily Monitor he had picked information that the meeting would take place at State House Entebbe.

“We expect the President to name the secretary general, the deputy secretary general, treasurer and deputy treasurer because we don’t have the luxury of waiting. The party chairman needs to fill these four positions to enable the party prepare for the 2016 general elections,” a member of CEC who requested not to be named because CEC meetings are always private, said, adding that the new secretary general would ensure that the party has a valid voters’ register ahead of the party primaries.

Chairman given powers
The NRM meeting at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole last week gave the party chairman powers to appoint the Secretary General and other officials to run the secretariat.

Other members of CEC told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the party chairman will invoke his new powers to appoint Mbabazi’s replacement pending confirmation by the National Executive Committee. The meeting will also discuss the post-Mbabazi era and how to ensure that the NRM party wins the 2016 elections.

“It is true, I have received the message as well as received a call informing us to attend CEC on Monday at State House,” another member of CEC said.

Asked what was on the agenda, this source said: “It is the continuation and fulfillment of the outcome of the conference at Namboole,” adding that the President would present the names for internal vetting before NEC sits at a later date to approve the names.

Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi also confirmed the meeting, saying: “The chairman has to name a Secretary General within 21 days and this CEC meeting could be a follow up to evaluate what transpired at Namboole.”

Top contenders

Rosemary Namayanja. The Nakaseke Woman MP and current minister for Information and National Guidance.
Moses Byaruhanga. Senior presidential advisor on political affairs
Richard Todwong. Nwoya MP and minister without Porfolie in charge of Poliitcal mobilisation.

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