Busoga sub-region is experiencing mixed reactions following Rebecca Kadaga’s decisive loss to speaker of parliament Anita Among in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) election for the national vice chairperson (female) position.
In the highly contested race, Among was declared the winner with a commanding 11,680 votes (92.8 per cent), while Kadaga, the first deputy prime minister and Kamuli District Woman MP, secured only 902 votes (7.2 per cent) out of the 12,582 total delegates who voted.
The contest deeply divided the sub-region, reflecting the candidates’ respective ties. Kadaga is a native of Busoga, while Among’s connection is through her marriage to Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president and Budiope East MP Moses Magogo.
The rivalry led to the formation of two informal camps: “Team Mama” for Kadaga’s supporters and “Team Mulamu” (Team In-law) for Among’s backers. This division was clearly reflected in the results from the sub-region.
Among secured victories in her husband’s home district of Buyende (69-9), as well as Kaliro (75-7), Namayingo (67-3), Iganga (58-39), and Bugiri (96-19). Kadaga, meanwhile, dominated in her home district of Kamuli (119-16) and performed strongly in Luuka (52-8), Mayuge (46-19), Bugweri (34-23), Namutumba (55-22), Jinja City (44-31), and Jinja District (28-15).
Overall, Among led Kadaga in the Busoga sub-region with 499 votes to 455, further solidifying her nationwide victory. Kadaga’s loyalists have expressed profound disappointment, citing a sense of betrayal.
Asuman Ngobi, an NRM member from Jinja City, lamented that Busoga failed to unite behind Kadaga, unlike how Among received strong backing from her home region of Teso.
“This exposes the divisions within Busoga, with electorates failing to rally behind their own in the pursuit of decision-making positions,” he said.
Ramallah Mbeiza highlighted this as a long-standing trend where political leaders from Busoga face internal opposition.
“Battles against sub-regional leaders have curtailed young, promising leaders from fully engaging and contributing to the sub-region’s progress,” she noted.
Bugweri District Woman MP Rachel Magoola praised delegates who remained loyal to Kadaga.
“I hail the people of Bugweri and other Busoga delegates for maintaining their support for Kadaga. In doing so, you demonstrated unity in diversity, a vital tool for ensuring representation on national decision-making tables,” she said.
Other observers argue that it is time for Kadaga to create space for younger leaders. Charles Mpalabule, speaker of Kamuli District Local Government, believes Among’s potential re-election as parliament speaker would give her greater lobbying power than Kadaga’s current position.
“Kadaga’s contributions are undeniable, but new minds are needed to provide modern solutions for prevailing challenges,” he said.
Before the election, both candidates addressed the delegates. Among called for unity and trust within the NRM, praising President Yoweri Museveni and highlighting her experience as speaker.
Kadaga, however, raised concerns about the election’s credibility, accusing Among’s team of bribing delegates with cash, iPads, and mobile phones. She also cited delays and the use of fake delegate lists as signs of rigging and appealed to President Museveni to ensure a free and fair process.
Why not seek assistance from Bujagali.
It’s clear Among does not represent us in any way.
The thing of malamu is rubbish
Apart rom Chris obore that mmuchina is not accessible.
Used and dumped. Let Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga carefully reflect on that. Also, let her reflect on the futility of relying on pagan spirits of Igenge hill or wherever it is, that she does her usual “cultural” pilgrimages to seek their blessings for good fortune. They can only do do much, and no more. Finally, can she apologize to Hon Betty Namboze and others, and to the country at large, when she wilfully colluded with the Executive, to overrun and capture parliament? Not that it matters, but I don’t have any sympathy for her. Not at all. Let her reap in abundance what she sowed.
The “mpewo za bajajja” a.k.a “bujagali” disowned their daughter, Alitwala, this time round? Hahahaa … that witchcraft always ends in bitter disappointment … it feels like yesterday when this lady was bragging on national television praising her parliamentary speakership triumph on the “mpewo za bajajja” and of course you know that was not the first nor the last time she consults. We don’t say she did zero work before now, but hey!
Am not for ANY political front in Uganda, but on the balance of probabilities, the Alitwala’s, Moses Ali’s, etc of this world are currently a nuisance to keep at the top organs of this yellow party if they’re to have any chance of continuity. Perhaps, the same should go for those other presumably established household names. Just see how much more progress and unity has been registered since they ushered in a different secretary general? They had a substantive register this time round in contrast to that time of turmoil. Each of these people that are no longer at the top shall definitely be remembered for their contributions there and they too of course got enriched in the process, but there comes a time for change and progress.
Hopefully it becomes a trend that serves to trade maturity into the Ugandan political landscape at large thereby benefitting us all Ugandans.
I collines from bukungu buyende let people not just comment on kadaga,s does & dones, but let them rush back to her history and they prove the real quality blood of the basoga morning
I think this is an indicator that kadaga is no longer vital to basoga ummm i wonder
In my view, Busoga’s greatest challenge is the absence of strong leadership and clear structures. If we look at Buganda, the contrast is striking. The Kabaka, deeply rooted as a Muganda, is supported by the Lukiko, county and sub-county leaders, and clan heads. He speaks only when necessary, avoids insults, yet commands the respect of his people. Over the years, he has quietly rebuilt Buganda’s institutions and is now using them to drive economic growth from the bottom up. That is true leadership.
Busoga, by contrast, has the Kyabazinga, who is a descendant of the King of Bunyoro rather than a Musoga. This historical background has limited his legitimacy and his bond with the Basoga. Our elected parliamentary representatives, though close to national power, have likewise failed to turn that access into meaningful progress for the region. At the same time, the ruling party has failed to attract the right calibre of Basoga to join it, leaving us without strong voices at the national table. As a result, Busoga has remained without the credible leadership structures needed to unite and uplift our people.
Now, this one is a Strong one because we realize that the only reason or majority reason that Among won was because of her husband.
But the people of Busoga are being shallow minded because they will not be ruled by the husband but rather by Among and that is worth the thought