A fierce dispute has broken out between State Minister for Lands Persis Namuganza and Namutumba District Woman MP Mariam Naigaga over the annulled NRM district chairperson election, exposing deepening divisions within the ruling party’s local leadership.
Over the weekend, during an appearance on the Oluyiira political program on Busoga One FM, Ms Naigaga accused Minister Namuganza of spreading falsehoods and “acting like a TikToker” for repeatedly linking her to the violence that disrupted the election.
“The election was cancelled due to chaos. I never petitioned the NRM secretariat in Kampala,” Naigaga said. “It was Dr Tanga Odoi who directed the district registrar to call off the vote immediately.”
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The election had initially declared Simon Menya the winner, but the results were later invalidated amid allegations of violence and malpractice.
Naigaga distanced herself from the contested vote, claiming she was excluded as unrest—allegedly fueled by Namuganza’s camp—took over.
“She brought rowdy youth from Jinja and dumped them at the RDC’s office, not actual voters,” Naigaga alleged. “Then they claimed I lost. How can I lose in a race I didn’t even take part in?”
She reaffirmed her intention to run if a by-election is called.
“I’m still in this race because it’s what the people want,” she said. “I’ve personally covered rent for the party offices for four years as general secretary. This district is a stronghold for NRM—President Museveni can easily get 90 percent here.”
Naigaga also hinted that internal power struggles were fueling the conflict, pointing to her public backing of Speaker Anita Among for a seat on the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) as a possible reason for the hostility.
Minister Namuganza, however, rejected the accusations, saying Naigaga was simply unable to accept the outcome.
“Naigaga lost to Menya but is refusing to admit defeat,” Namuganza said. “At the party headquarters in Kyadondo, Dr Odoi barred Menya from accessing the NRM office until a by-election is scheduled. That’s an insult to voters.”
Namuganza, who has had past political clashes with First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, is now reportedly supporting Kadaga’s opponent in the race for the NRM CEC Vice Chairperson (Female), a move some observers interpret as politically calculated.
The public fallout has drawn criticism from outside the NRM as well. Pastor Andrew Muwanguzi, National Unity Platform’s head of training and ideology, condemned the infighting.
“These internal battles help no one,” he said. “Our health centers have no medicine, and our roads are in terrible shape. Yet leaders are too busy bickering.”
Muwanguzi also slammed the NRM’s electoral culture, saying it prioritizes money over values.
“They preach principles but practice bribery. If elections are decided by cash, where is the democracy?” he asked.
With tensions boiling over in Namutumba, pressure is mounting on the NRM’s leadership to resolve internal rifts and regain public trust before any fresh elections are held.
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