Namuganza alleges intimidation, threats as NRM flagbearer race turns bitter in Bukono

Namutumba, Uganda: The Minister of State for Lands, Hon Persis Namuganza, has accused her rivals for the Bukono Constituency NRM ticket of employing intimidation and underhanded tactics, as the contest for the party flagbearer position intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections.

Speaking at a burial in Ivukula Subcounty on Saturday, June 28, Hon Namuganza claimed that her opponents had mobilised a group she described as “egaali”, a Luganda term referring to organised thuggery, to disrupt her campaign trail and spread fear among voters.

“Someone called me this morning claiming they had been paid sh20,000 to pelt me with stones whenever I attend burials,” Namuganza told mourners. “He asked for double the amount to abort the mission.”

Namuganza, who has served as Bukono MP for a decade, said the rising hostility has made her reluctant to appear at joint NRM campaign events. She further revealed that the situation had drawn the attention of President Yoweri Museveni.

“President Museveni called me and he was worried,” she said. “You pelt me with stones, yet my security detail have guns with bullets. Do you want us to respond?”

The minister’s remarks stirred more grumbling among constituents, many of whom accused her of neglecting service delivery and spending more time reminding the public of her ties to State House.

The race for the Bukono NRM ticket has attracted strong contenders, including Paul Bajje Baite, a son of the area’s long-time political kingmaker Baite Munobwa, Emmanuel Maganda Katoko, Hajji Siraji Gusongoirye, and Dr Andrew Mpanga.

In a veiled swipe at Baite’s candidacy, Namuganza questioned the move by the Munobwa family to back him, saying she considered them family and had never expected a direct challenge. “Mr Baite Munobwa is my political patriarch, and I consider him family. For him to front his son to contest against me is the last thing I expected,” she said.

But Paul Bajje Baite, a UK-trained professional, dismissed the Minister’s claims as a distraction. “Her claims are an attempt to divert attention from the fact that over the past 10 years, she’s played politics and failed at service delivery. It is time for action and not rhetoric,” Baite said.

He promised a new style of leadership anchored on tangible development outcomes, pledging to prioritise people over politics if entrusted with the NRM flag. Baite is scheduled to launch his campaigns officially this Saturday, July 5th, at Ivukula Subcounty grounds.