NRM asks Bukenya to quit for Amama
Sep 11, 2010
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has been urged to stand down for Security Minister Amama Mbabazi in the race for the position of secretary general in the National Resistance Movement party.
By Milton Olupot
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has been urged to stand down for Security Minister Amama Mbabazi in the race for the position of secretary general in the National Resistance Movement party.
A source who attended a night long Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday at State House Entebbe, said the meeting also sought consensus that the position of national vice-chairperson be left for the incumbent Hajji Moses Kigongo.
“The meeting urged Bukenya to reconsider his candidacy for the position, to give chance to Mbabazi. It is likely that Bukenya may not stand for that position, although he did not say so at the meeting,†the source said.
Bukenya left the meeting early to attend to his sick mother. Other contenders for secretary general are Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Prof. Elijah Mushemeza and Theodore Sekikubo.
The CEC comprising of the party chairman, vice chairpersons, secretary general, his deputy and national chairpersons of NRM leagues reportedly met to build consensus over contentious party positions.
Sources said applications of contenders for the various party positions that are due to be filled today and tomorrow at Namboole stadium were vetted.
The meeting that spilled into the wee hours of Friday also discussed the flawed party primary elections that were reportedly blamed on a sloppy administration.
However, Mbabazi explained that shortage of logistics, especially human resource to manage the elections, was responsible for the mess.
The party’s National Delegates Conference is for today and tomorrow, where its top leadership will be elected, including the party chairman and flag bearer in the presidential elections due early next year.
Retired Captain Daudi Ruhinda Maguru, a former aide to President Museveni and Dr. Elizabeth Nabatanzi, a former presidential assistant on special duties are taking on their former boss for the position of chairperson and flag bearer for the party’s presidential candidate.
Positions of party secretary general, the deputy and treasurer so far stand out to be the most contentious and are likely to attract stiff competition among the delegates.
The source yesterday expressed optimism that consensus seemed to be building and the position of national vice-chairman and that of secretary general may not attract the much anticipated fireworks.
“The mood in the meeting was reconciliatory and open; it was surprising that Hassan Bassajabalaba and Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, some of the known critics of Amama Mbabazi were the first to commend him for his good work as secretary general, although they added that he needs to improve on his work methods and get closer to the people,†the source said.
Another source said, “It seems the President has had other prior meetings with various factions and agreed that the run for the secretary general position was likely to polarise the party, especially between Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and Mbabazi.â€
According to the sources, the positions of national treasurer and deputy secretary general are likely to generate tighter competition. Former Presidential Press Secretary Amelia Kyambadde, who is also Mawokota South MP aspirant is tussling it out with the incumbent treasurer Ndaula Kaweesi and Stephen Masinde for treasurer post. Michael Nuwagira Toyota, Museveni’s brother was reportedly advised to pull out of the race.
The position of deputy secretary general has also drawn big names. Former minister Betty Bigombe, former UEB chief Irene Muloni, MP Rose Namayanja and the incumbent Dorothy Hyuha are eyeing the position.
Yesterday afternoon, Bukenya said he was still in the race and nobody had asked him to pull out. “If that meeting, which I left prematurely to attend to my sick mother, had been aimed at making me pull out of the race, the President would have made it clear to me, at least by telephone.
Those reports are circulating because the contest is hot. I am in the race up to the end and I am sure I will win.â€
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has been urged to stand down for Security Minister Amama Mbabazi in the race for the position of secretary general in the National Resistance Movement party.
A source who attended a night long Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday at State House Entebbe, said the meeting also sought consensus that the position of national vice-chairperson be left for the incumbent Hajji Moses Kigongo.
“The meeting urged Bukenya to reconsider his candidacy for the position, to give chance to Mbabazi. It is likely that Bukenya may not stand for that position, although he did not say so at the meeting,†the source said.
Bukenya left the meeting early to attend to his sick mother. Other contenders for secretary general are Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Prof. Elijah Mushemeza and Theodore Sekikubo.
The CEC comprising of the party chairman, vice chairpersons, secretary general, his deputy and national chairpersons of NRM leagues reportedly met to build consensus over contentious party positions.
Sources said applications of contenders for the various party positions that are due to be filled today and tomorrow at Namboole stadium were vetted.
The meeting that spilled into the wee hours of Friday also discussed the flawed party primary elections that were reportedly blamed on a sloppy administration.
However, Mbabazi explained that shortage of logistics, especially human resource to manage the elections, was responsible for the mess.
The party’s National Delegates Conference is for today and tomorrow, where its top leadership will be elected, including the party chairman and flag bearer in the presidential elections due early next year.
Retired Captain Daudi Ruhinda Maguru, a former aide to President Museveni and Dr. Elizabeth Nabatanzi, a former presidential assistant on special duties are taking on their former boss for the position of chairperson and flag bearer for the party’s presidential candidate.
Positions of party secretary general, the deputy and treasurer so far stand out to be the most contentious and are likely to attract stiff competition among the delegates.
The source yesterday expressed optimism that consensus seemed to be building and the position of national vice-chairman and that of secretary general may not attract the much anticipated fireworks.
“The mood in the meeting was reconciliatory and open; it was surprising that Hassan Bassajabalaba and Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, some of the known critics of Amama Mbabazi were the first to commend him for his good work as secretary general, although they added that he needs to improve on his work methods and get closer to the people,†the source said.
Another source said, “It seems the President has had other prior meetings with various factions and agreed that the run for the secretary general position was likely to polarise the party, especially between Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and Mbabazi.â€
According to the sources, the positions of national treasurer and deputy secretary general are likely to generate tighter competition. Former Presidential Press Secretary Amelia Kyambadde, who is also Mawokota South MP aspirant is tussling it out with the incumbent treasurer Ndaula Kaweesi and Stephen Masinde for treasurer post. Michael Nuwagira Toyota, Museveni’s brother was reportedly advised to pull out of the race.
The position of deputy secretary general has also drawn big names. Former minister Betty Bigombe, former UEB chief Irene Muloni, MP Rose Namayanja and the incumbent Dorothy Hyuha are eyeing the position.
Yesterday afternoon, Bukenya said he was still in the race and nobody had asked him to pull out. “If that meeting, which I left prematurely to attend to my sick mother, had been aimed at making me pull out of the race, the President would have made it clear to me, at least by telephone.
Those reports are circulating because the contest is hot. I am in the race up to the end and I am sure I will win.â€