I'm supporting Kadaga for NRM CEC position - Namuganza

State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Persis Namuganza, has made a surprise move by endorsing First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga's bid for the second Deputy female NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) member position in the upcoming NRM structure polls.

Namuganza and Kadaga have a history of rivalry, having contested for the same position in the 2020 NRM structure elections. The contest was marked by bitter exchanges between the two, which many believed had cost the party dearly in the general election.

However, in a recent interview, Namuganza revealed that she had decided not to run for the position again, citing the need for unity within the party.

"We realised that our division when we both contested made our party chairman perform badly in the general election in the region," she explained. "So we sat in Cabinet to resolve on the disunity that costed us."

Namuganza has instead thrown her weight behind Kadaga, citing her seniority and ability to serve better. "Of now, I am not coming back to contest since Ms. Kadaga declared her candidature," she said. "I believe she is a senior member of the party who can serve better."

Namuganza has urged all NRM delegates, especially those from Busoga, to rally behind Kadaga. "I am calling upon all delegates, especially those from Busoga, to support Ms. Kadaga," she said. "We should not divide ourselves again."

Without mentioning names, Namuganza appealed to NRM cadres to reject any new contestants, emphasizing that Kadaga's election should be continuous until she chooses to retire.

"The delegates should not be allowed to vote for new people coming to stand against Ms. Kadaga in our party polls," she said. "In any case, it will be Ms Kadaga to announce who will replace her in this position if she is tired of serving."

Namuganza's endorsement comes as Speaker of Parliament Annita Among Magogo has announced her intention to contest for the same position. However, Namuganza's backing of Kadaga is seen as a significant boost to her campaign.

Former Minister for Lands Daudi Migereko, who oversaw the digitalization of the party register in Busoga, believes the registered party members can significantly contribute to President Yoweri Museveni's vote tally.

"The numbers of voters on our party register can contribute a lot if you all turn up to support the flag bearers," he said. "They can win even before adding on other voters who are not in our yellow books."

Migereko also downplayed claims that party members are often forgotten after elections, saying that rewarding is a gradual process that President Museveni keeps in mind. "Rewarding is a gradual process," he said. "The President keeps it in mind."

Mr Issa Taligoola, a member of Research and Policy at the NRM Secretariat, emphasized that party elections should not divide members but rather identify strong candidates for the final polls. "Party elections should be used to identify strong candidates whom all members must support in the final polls," he said.