Kamuli, Uganda: The First Deputy Prime Minister and Kamuli District Woman MP, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has officially unveiled Mastula Namatovu, the NRM flag bearer for Kamuli Municipality, as her political successor, ending years of speculation about who she has been grooming to take over her mantle.
Kadaga made the revelation on Wednesday during a celebratory rally at Buwanume Primary School, organized to mark Namatovu’s successful nomination for Parliament. The event drew hundreds of NRM supporters, local leaders, and party mobilizers.
“Today I want to officially ask you to support, vote, and ensure my daughter here, Mastula, wins this Municipality seat, and the rest leave to me,” Kadaga declared, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
“I Have Groomed and Tested Her”
Kadaga described Namatovu as “loyal, well-groomed, and tested”, saying she has mentored her through several leadership positions. “I fronted Mastula for Eastern Youth MP, where she narrowly lost. I later supported her for a national position in the Women’s Council, where she became Publicity Secretary and excelled in mobilization and advocacy,” Kadaga said.
She added that when Kamuli was elevated to a municipality, she again fronted Namatovu for MP, but the seat was then won by Hajat Rehema Watongola, and later by her daughter Baroda Kayanga Watongola, who is now the incumbent.
Kadaga accused Baroda Watongola of failing to deliver for her constituents and instead “spending five years fighting” her politically. “Baroda has wasted these years — she never even came to my office. Instead, she has made fighting me her full-time job,” Kadaga said.
“This time, let’s show love through action. If you love me, vote Mastula — my daughter, whom I have mentored and trained to lead.”
The Race Ahead
Namatovu faces a tough contest with six rivals, including incumbent MP Baroda Kayanga Watongola, Joshua Faruk Tezikuba, and Aziz Luwano (all independents), FDC’s Bonny Mubiazalwa, CMP’s Gen Moses Bigirwa, and NUP’s Eng. Godfrey Mugoya.
Moses Bigirwa, Secretary General of the Common Man’s Party (CMP) and one of Namatovu’s opponents, acknowledged Kadaga’s endorsement but warned that her support alone won’t guarantee victory.
“We appreciate Mama Kadaga for showing us her successor. We are all her children, even those in the opposition. But Mastula shouldn’t take this for granted; the Municipality seat is open to all,” Bigirwa said.
Aziz Luwano, the Kamuli Municipality Mayor and another contender, said Kadaga delivered a similar message at his campaign launch earlier that day.
“Mama attended my rally at Boma Ground before proceeding to Mastula’s at Buwanume,” Luwano noted.
“Her message was clear: voters should reject those fighting her and clean up the Municipality, which has been infiltrated by Team Mulamu (allegedly referring to Speaker Anita Among’s group).”
Kadaga’s Political Legacy
Kadaga, one of Uganda’s longest-serving female politicians, has represented Kamuli since 1989 and served as Speaker of Parliament for two decades before she was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister. Her endorsement of Namatovu signals the beginning of a succession plan aimed at preserving her influence in Busoga politics.
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