NRM Buganda caucus blames poverty in Buganda on Opposition MPs

MP James Kakooza. Photo/File

POLITICS

KAMPALA - After constituting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Buganda caucus, its chairperson, James Kakooza has explained why they sidelined the Buganda Opposition legislators.  

Kakooza told the New Vision that the Opposition legislators were failing development in Buganda and that it was the reason they had to push them aside.

"Development projects are sometimes initiated at State House during meetings with the President but the Opposition legislators shun them (the meeting) and that's why poverty is growing in Buganda," he said. 

The MP noted that the failure of the Opposition legislators to attend the state house meetings and later embrace development projects initiated by the government has kept Buganda lagging behind in development.

He cited an example of the late Attorney General, Peter Nyombi whom he said would invite Opposition MPs from Buganda while handing-over land titles to Mengo but they would shun the ceremonies.

Kakooza noted that while they were at Kyankwanzi, they reflected on the abject poverty in Buganda and decided to constitute their caucus that will meet the President and mobilise Buganda into serious production.

The NRM constituted Buganda caucus is led by Kakooza and deputized by Nakaseke South Woman MP Syda Bumba. Bukoto South legislator, Muyanja Mbabali is the treasurer.

The caucus will work side by side with the Buganda caucus that is headed by Mukono South legislator, Johnson Muyanja Senyonga and deputised by Mpigi woman MP, Sarah Nakawunde Temulanda.

But since the caucus was constituted, a cross-section of Opposition legislators has been up in arms accusing NRM of plotting to weaken the Buganda caucus.

Masaka Woman MP, Mary Babirye Kabanda told the New Vision that the new caucus was constituted in bad faith with an intention of dividing the Buganda legislators to weaken them.

Busiro East MP, Medard Sseggona also concurred with Kabanda that the move was a government ploy to divide and weaken the caucus members.

However,  Kakooza wonders why the Buganda Opposition MPs do not form their party caucuses instead of blaming NRM MPs who constituted theirs. He noted that there was a moment when both DP and UPC had caucuses in Parliament.