No one will push me out of NRM — Kadaga

JINJA - Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has assured her supporters in Busoga that she still belongs to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) despite losing her top position within the party.

Speaking to a mammoth gathering of supporters who turned up to welcome her at the National Agricultural Show Grounds in Jinja city on Friday, Kadaga said NRM remains her party and that no one would push her away.

Kadaga said she is still a fully subscribed member of the NRM party and that no one would remove her, urging the Basoga to remain calm.

Her political camp organised the Friday "homecoming celebrations" in both Jinja and Kamuli districts.

Local comedian turned politician Hussein Muyonjo of NUP was carried high by supporters who kept chanting NUP slogans while praising Kadaga in the procession. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)

A long procession of huge crowds that received her right from the New Nile bridge as they snaked through Nalufenya road, turning to Kiira road up to Bell Avenue to the venue, was a blend of different political parties such as NRM, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform (NUP).

Security personnel struggled with supporters who attempted to force their way to the central business area, which remained restricted to her convoy to ensure business sanity.

It took Kadaga four hours to cover the approximately 3 kilometres from the bridge to the venue because of the huge crowd, which was both pedestrians and motorists moving at a snail's pace.

Security personnel struggled with supporters who attempted to force their way to the central business area, which remained restricted to her convoy to ensure business sanity. (All Photos by Jackie Nambogga)

Amid tight security, Kadaga kept emerging from her official vehicle to wave to the crowd and would get back in due to the scorching sun.

At the venue, she was received by Busoga legislators led by Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo.
He was flanked by: Martin Muzaale, John Teira, Sauda Kauma Alibawo, Moses Muwanika Walyomu and Alex Brandon Kintu of  Buzaaya county.

The veteran politician was led directly to cutting the cake before addressing the crowd on top of her vehicle.

The cake

Maintaining a broad smile, Kadaga said she was still committed to serving Busoga, Uganda and Africa at large.

“I started working for the NRM when I was still young, and I will still serve it. Despite what transpired sometime back, no one will remove me from the party because we are still running our programs in Busoga and Uganda at large to benefit our communities,” she assured her supporters.

In brief remarks, Kintu said, it was high time they put aside their differences during the election of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) where Kadaga was defeated as the female National Vice Chairperson of NRM for the continuity within the party.

Kadaga lost to the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, and since then, she had not returned to her country home until Friday, where she was received with a heroic welcome.

Kintu, who was among Kadaga’s core campaign team for the CEC slot, said all supporters should appreciate God for Kadaga’s dedication to Busoga and Uganda since she had grown and served within her party with her all.

“We praise God for her life and good works for Busoga and the nation at large, and I pledge my support towards her as we work for the NRM and government for the betterment of Busoga and the nation at large,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mubarak Kirunda, the NUP mayoral candidate for Jinja city, described ‘Maama Kadaga’ as a uniting factor regardless of one’s political affiliation. 

Kirunda said Kadaga’s return for the parliament race proved that she was still strong and commanding Busoga leaders regardless of their political and religious affiliations.

"This is the Busoga we want to see where people come together not as enemies but as citizens with a shared goal of national progress,” he said.

He said Kadaga’s legacy remains, citing: the approval of Jinja city, road works, construction of Jinja central market, construction of the bridge between
Teso and Busoga are lobbying for ferry services such as from Mbulamuti to Kayunga and fighting for women's and Girl-child rights.

Faruwa Kitakule, the councillor for Maggwa ward, who is also the NRM mayoral flag bearer for Jinja southern division, said Kadaga was Busoga’s pillar of integrity and resilience in Uganda’s political landscape.