The contest between State Minister for Lands Percis Namuganza and Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga for the Second Vice Chairperson (female) in the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) is one that has left many whispering.
Besides the mere fact that unlike on the previous occasions where Kadaga has had her way to the second most important party organ unopposed, this time round, the most respected Musoga politician faces an uncertain political future at the hands of her fellow Musoga – Namuganza, a princess of the Busoga Kingdom!
Eventhough Kadaga could be headed for a decisive victory from Busoga where they both hail from, her counterpart has surprisingly drawn unexpected barking from some big wigs from within the party, raising some questions over the motive behind the plot to eject one of the finest politicians the country has had over the years in favor of a highly lacking Namuganza.
President Yoweri Museveni himself as the Chairman of the party had reportedly tried to help Kadaga retain the position un bothered but she instead chose to have it all through to the ballot so as to settle the confrontation between her and Namuganza once and for all.
Kadaga’s rejection of Museveni’s offer would see a do or die political experiment for Kadaga who has triumphed in many battles to get where she is now.
After Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa came out openly to diss Kadaga in favor of Namuganza, reports started coming out that the woman from Kiboga was indeed after the leadership of the house but rather not her liking for Namuganza.
It’s public knowledge that after her first term in Parliament, Namuganza’s ranking would be far below as compared to her opponent who has served in the government since 1980’s.
This means that any well intentioned member of the party would be able to see and know that there are not many within who can suitably replace Kadaga owing to a wealth of invaluable experience she has attained on duty over the years.
But Nankabirwa seems not bothered about all that. She seems to have set her eyes on the Speakership whatever the cost.
Because she knows that current Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanya is way ahead of her in the race to replace Kadaga, Nankabirwa is for now opting to settle for Oulanya’s place should the fierce woman from Kamuli get dumped from CEC, resultantly weakening her which would make her a lot vulnerable in the race for the Speakership.
Surprisingly, Nankabirwa, a long with many other anti Kadaga forces within the party have identified Namuganza as the person to finally bring the indomitable Speaker on her knees. It’s however not clear whether Namuganza is offering her self to be used in the chess game knowingly or unknowingly.
For President Museveni himself, he must certainly be praying hard for a Kadaga victory in this contest, well knowing the disastrous impact a defeat would bring to the party.
Besides in Busoga where she is widely followed as the main decision influencer, Kadaga has over the years established herself as a popular figure around the country.
Her friendly relationship with the radical opposition in Parliament has equally helped to ensure a peaceful environment for the government to execute it’s business after mitigating the friction that would otherwise arise out of their hostilities.
Although it had at first appeared as if Kadaga’s position at CEC was highly threatened by Namuganza, this seems to have drastically changed after it emerged that Museveni had tried to convince Namuganza to give way only to be stopped by Kadaga herself. This has sounded as a call to many of the members on who their chairman’s choice for the task is.
Therefore, if it happens that Namuganza has lost to Kadaga at CEC, Nankabirwa’s Speakership ambition would have died at it’s infancy while as for Kadaga, she would grow more fierce , powerful and ruthless.
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