Nankabirwa congratulates Kadaga on CEC win

The Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa on Tuesday joined fellow MPs in congratulating the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga and her Deputy Jacob Oulanyah for winning seats at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) top organ — the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

At the peak of the CEC elections, which were held last week, Nankabirwa, in a video recording, attacked Kadaga, saying she does not deserve to serve as a CEC member because she is not loyal to the party.

She instead declared support for Kadaga's rival in the race, Persis Namuganza, the State Minister of Lands, who wanted to oust Kadaga as the second female national vicechairperson for the NRM.

However, speaking during Tuesday's plenary session after the resumption of Parliament following a two-week recess, Nankabirwa said NRM allows people democracy to vote for any candidate they want to serve them.

"Allow me to add my voice to those who have congratulated you and your deputy on winning. Let us also congratulate those who tried," Nankabirwa said. She said it was fulfilling to see new NRM members of Parliament, such as Chris Baryomunsi, Godfrey Kiwanda and Oulanyah, join CEC.

Nankabirwa also congratulated President Yoweri Museveni on emerging as the party's sole presidential candidate and also going through unopposed for the position of NRM chairperson. According to the results declared by the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, last week, Kadaga garnered 6,776 votes against Namuganza's 3,882 votes.

Betrayal

However, some MPs condemned Nankabirwa for betraying the Speaker by attacking her and choosing to openly support Namuganza.

"We congratulate you madam Speaker, Busia district gave you the biggest vote, although some of our colleagues betrayed you," Geoffrey Macho (Busia Municipality) said. Latif Ssebagala, the MP Kawempe North, said despite being from the opposition, his support and majority of the opposition members was for Kadaga.

He said: "We congratulate you upon being elected to one of the most important organs of NRM, though I am on the other side, you had our prayers and we are grateful for all those who voted for you.

Of course, there are those who decampaigned you, but we shall not go into the nitty-gritty and Ugandans were on your side." Kadaga, who commended the MPs and the rest of the NRM members for their support towards her candidature, did not comment on Nankabirwa's attacks.

COVID -19 Lockdown

Meanwhile, during Tuesday's plenary session, Kadaga told the House that she had continued receiving petitions from different Ugandans, such as market operators, border districts and church leaders, whose businesses are still under lockdown.

Kadaga implored the Government to consider lifting the lockdown on such people and instead encourage observation of Standard Operating Procedures, just like it has done for the rest of the community.

"The Government should concentrate on telling people to learn to live with COVID-19. We do not know when it will end," Kadaga said.