First Lady Janet Museveni calls for integrity and unity in NRM party

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, has urged leaders in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party to unite and embrace integrity, honesty, and transparency.

She warned that divisions among party members could have devastating consequences for the country.

Mrs. Museveni who is also NRM Chairperson for Ntungamo District, emphasised on Monday, August 11, that nation building requires unity and cooperation.

"Nation-building is exactly like constructing a family house. Both require unity and working together, not dividing people based on differences. When you refuse to unite at family level, you cannot build a home, and this also applies to a nation. When people refuse to unite and work together, they cannot build a nation," Mrs. Museveni said.

She was addressing over 500 NRM delegates from 34 sub-counties and town councils in Ntungamo District, who gathered at Kyamate playground on Monday for the repeat election of Secretary for Finance on the NRM District Executive Committee.

A release from her office states that Mrs. Museveni condemned the chaotic standoff between supporters of Bitariho Sebastian—LCIII Chairperson for Rweikiniro Subcounty—and Asuman Kigongo—the Ntungamo District Vice Chairperson.

This conflict between the two previous contenders for Secretary for Finance led to the suspension of the earlier election and divided many NRM supporters in Ntungamo.

The First Lady also criticised the recent NRM Parliamentary primaries, which were marred by dishonesty, self-interest, and lack of integrity, resulting in numerous petitions.

She highlighted the importance of building sustainable peace for future generations. 

"We must sow durable seeds of peace, humility, and trust that will benefit future generations," she stressed.

"Most of you are young people, with young families, and you have to remember that your children require a peaceful country after you. Therefore, we need to build peace that will last forever," Mrs. Museveni added.

She reminded NRM leaders that leadership means serving people as servants, not rulers. 

She emphasised that everyone is responsible for safeguarding the peace they currently enjoy.

Mrs. Museveni shared that during her time as MP for Ruhaama, she served with peace and humility, which is why the people of Ntungamo continue to elect her even when she hasn't expressed interest in standing.

She congratulated the Ntungamo NRM delegates for conducting peaceful elections with integrity and encouraged them to continue doing the right things to ensure Ntungamo remains peaceful and serves as a model for other areas.

The repeat election was ring-fenced for women candidates to comply with the law requiring at least two-thirds female representation on the NRM District Executive Committee.

NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi and Ntungamo District Registrar Maria Mirembe supervised the fresh election.

Tushabe Agnes Mugumya won with 397 votes, defeating Reginah Bainomugisha Karibwende, who received 156 votes. A third candidate, Bugiri Kansiime Agnes, withdrew from the race to promote party unity.

Three delegates abstained from voting: Mrs. Museveni, Ntungamo LC5 chairperson Sam Mucunguzi Rwakigooba, and Itojo Subcounty councillor Denis Muhumuza Savimbi.

Dr. Tanga Odoi commended the peaceful conduct of the repeat election and called for unity among people from different camps.

Odoi described Janet Museveni as "God-sent" for her sacrifices in support of the President, the family, and the country's stability. 

He urged Ugandans to pray for the First family.

In her victory speech, Tushabe thanked the delegates for their confidence in her. 

She described her overwhelming win as "compensation" for her loss in the recent Ruhaama County Parliamentary elections. 

Reginah Bainomugisha gracefully conceded defeat, shaking hands with her opponent.

Several NRM leaders attended the event, including : Ruhaama County MP Henry Nkwasibwe Zinkuratire, Ntungamo Woman MP Joselyn Baata Kamateneti, and Ruhaama East MP Benjamin Kamukama Katangura. 

Other attendees included Ntungamo District Woman MP-NRM flag bearer Viola Namanya Burooko, Ruhaama East NRM MP flag bearer Moses Kahima, Kajara County NRM flag bearer MP James Hunter Byenjeru, Ntungamo LC5 Chairman Sam Mucunguzi Rwakigooba, RDC Mariam Kagaiga Mugisha, and DRDC Rosemary Atuhaire.