PHILLIP R. ONGADIA: Mama Kadaga deserves a better retirement package than joining NUP 

For over three decades, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has walked the political corridors of Uganda with grace, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). From being the first female Speaker of Parliament to her role as a voice for women and the marginalized, Kadaga has undoubtedly etched her name in Uganda’s political history. Yet today, the winds of politics have blown harshly against her, leaving a storm of humiliation that many loyal cadres cannot ignore.

Her recent defeat in the highly contested CEC Vice Chairperson race at the hands of Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, a relative newcomer to NRM political landscape, has left Busoga’s iron lady bruised but not broken. The political duel at Kololo ceremonial grounds was more than a contest of ideas; it was a battle of seniority versus modernity, of old guards versus emerging generals. As Kadaga herself stated in her emotional address to delegates, this race was marred with intimidation, influence peddling, and voter bribery factors that cast a long shadow over its credibility.

But let no one be deceived, this was not a general election; it was an electoral college contest. If the race were to be thrown open to the masses, Kadaga would still command a towering presence in Busoga and beyond.

Her track record speaks volumes roads, hospitals, schools, and a relentless fight for the rights of women and the underprivileged. Like the proverbial old tree that has weathered many storms, Kadaga remains firmly rooted in the hearts of many Ugandans.

And yet, in the aftermath of her loss, Kadaga has demonstrated rare statesmanship. Unlike others who, when bruised, bolt from the party gates, she stood tall, thanked her supporters, and pledged continued service to NRM. This, dear readers, is a virtue as rare as a pearl in muddy waters, a reflection of character, not convenience.

But as the ink on that election barely dried, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the principal of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), sought to exploit the political turbulence. In his address during the opening of NUP offices in Iganga, Bobi Wine, with his trademark rhetoric, extended an olive branch to Kadaga, urging her to cross over to NUP, claiming they share a totem and clan ties. He boldly declared, “NRM no longer values you; they have used and dumped you. Come, let us together end the Museveni era.”
But the question remains, is Kadaga cut out for NUP politics? Does it befit a woman who has spent decades shaping Uganda’s governance to end her political journey aboard a ship that is yet to find its compass? Bobi Wine’s call, though dramatic, is riddled with irony. How can one denounce longevity in leadership while wooing a leader who has served almost as long as the man they seek to dethrone?
History offers cautionary tales. NUP itself has struggled to retain its own intellectual heavyweights, Mathias Mpuuga, Moses Bigirwa, Abed Bwanika, and even Hon. Medard Sseggona have publicly clashed with the party leadership, with Hon. Joyce Bagala rumored to be on the verge of losing her grip. If such internal friction exists, how then can Bobi Wine guarantee a dignified space for a political titan like Kadaga, who has been a pillar in Uganda’s political architecture?
The Holy Scriptures teach us in Ecclesiastes 7:8: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Mama Kadaga deserves an honorable twilight, not a hurried leap into an undefined struggle. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.” That is wisdom that comes with age, and Kadaga has it in abundance.
It would be a mockery of justice and a betrayal of loyalty if NRM were to let one of its most trusted pillars fade away in humiliation. As the party transitions from old guards to new faces, it must remember the African proverb: “A river that forgets its source will dry up.” If we humiliate the elders of today, we plant seeds of fear in the youths of tomorrow. The same knife that cuts down a tree today may be sharpened for a sapling tomorrow.
Kadaga’s contributions are monumental, from championing affirmative action to ensuring stability in Parliament. Her leadership gave many of us, the young cadres, a firm landing. To humiliate her now is to tell the story of the foolish king in the Bible who “forgot Joseph after all he had done” (Exodus 1:8).
Therefore, rather than pushing her into the arms of an opposition that cannot guarantee her dignity, NRM must craft a befitting retirement package for Kadaga. A ceremonial role, a council of elders, or a diplomatic posting would not only honor her service but also send a clear message that loyalty is rewarded, not discarded.

In conclusion, I echo the words of Abraham Lincoln: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Let us create a future where seasoned leaders exit with honor, not humiliation. Mama Kadaga should not sink with a rudderless canoe of NUP. Instead, let her sail into the sunset with the respect she has earned, a lighthouse for the generations to come.

For God and My Country.
The author is an NRM Mobilizer
Phillip R. Ongadia