Kigongo unopposed for top NRM job

POLITICS|ELECTIONS

Following what sources have described as "frantic talks" during the vetting of contenders for a position in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) top organ, Moses Kigongo has sailed through unopposed.

The move to let Kigongo be unopposed for the position of first national vice-chairman on the Central Executive Committee (CEC), sources added, was the result of President Yoweri Museveni, who is the national chairman of the ruling party. persuading those who were challenging him to abandon the idea.

"After lengthy discussions, the chairman of the party persuaded those who were interested in Kigongo's position to step aside and they agreed. It was done in good spirit and for the unity of the party," a CEC member told New Vision yesterday.

For the CEC position, Kigongo was battling former minister and Kampala Central MP Francis Babu, a presidential aide Kefa Mafumuand businessman Hakeem Lukenge.

Except for Mafumu, who during the CEC vetting meeting, was thrown out for failing to resign his State House job before embarking on activities related to partisan politics, negotiations were held with the others who were interested in Kigongo's position, sources said.

Cagey 

Babu and Lukenge were cagey when asked whether they had been persuaded not to take on Kigongo.

"For Babu and I, they said, the President will talk to us," Lukenge said, without divulging details of their meeting with the President.

Babu yesterday said he had been summoned to the secretariat for a briefing on the matter.

"I have been told that they want to ask me to get out of the race," he added. Sources have also told New Vision that Abdu Nadduli, who is the incumbent vice chairperson for central region on CEC, was also asked to quit the race after a pledge made by the President that he will among the five the national chairperson of the party can nominate in accordance with the NRM constitution.

"Except those who were challenging Kigongo that have been persuaded to step out of the race, other contenders have been cleared by CEC members in their recommendation to NEC," a source who attended CEC told New Vision yesterday.

That National Executive Council (NEC) meeting will be convened on Tuesday to further scrutinise the credentials of those interested in the CEC positions and forward their resolutions to the national conference, which will be held on August 20.

On August 19, contenders for the CEC positions, will campaign at the party's headquarters in Kampala.

NEC to vet candidates 

Asked about the two CEC meetings that were convened on Tuesday and Wednesday to scrutinise competitors, the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, yesterday said: "What I know is that CEC vetted candidates and forwarded names to NEC. NEC will also vet and recommend. What I can confirm is that we shall have an elective delegates conference on August 20. CEC recommends to NEC and NEC recommends to the delegates conference." "CEC asked the candidates about their contribution to the party, track record in the party and synergies with communities," Odoi added.

Other positions 

For the position of second national vice-chairperson, Rebecca Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament, is facing State minister for lands Persis Namuganza, Jane Amongi Okili and Deborah Kinobe.

Four contenders, including a fruit dealer in Ishaka Central Market, Rogers Tugaine Bifa, state minister for housing Dr Chris Baryomunsi, deputy government spokesperson Col (rtd) Shaban Batantariza and a youthful medic Dr Emmanuel Kisembo, have come out to contest against Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza for the position of vice-chairperson for western region. 

Sanjay Tanna is battling Mike Mukula for the position of vice-chairperson (eastern region) while Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah will face off against Sam Engola for the position of vice-chairperson northern region, among other contenders.