Buganda, Uganda: Senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadres in Buganda have intensified calls for Speaker of Parliament, also NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) Anita Annet Among to be halted from President Museveni’s ongoing campaign trail in the region, warning that her continued prominence risks undermining mobilisation and costing the party votes.
The cadres, some of whom spoke to this publication, argue that Among has assumed excessive importance at Buganda rallies, crowding out local leaders who better understand the region’s political history, cultural sensitivities and unresolved grievances.
“Buganda once carried the NRM strongly, but today the region is politically suffocated,” said one senior cadre, who like others quoted in this story preferred not to be named for fear of reprisal.
“When the wrong people dominate the microphone, the President does not hear the real issues affecting Buganda,” he adds.
Adding to the voice of the cadres, Hakim Kyeswa, a prominent NRM mobiliser in Buganda says the NRM Secretariat—or President Museveni himself—ought to adopt the approach used in Busoga, where regional mobilisation was entrusted to leaders deeply rooted in the area.
He specifically cited former Speaker Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Among’s long-time rival, who was left to take charge of the Busoga campaign trail.
“In Busoga, the President allowed Kadaga to lead because she understands the region,” he said. “That is how it should be done. Let Buganda leaders handle Buganda. Someone who does not fully understand the region cannot effectively sell the President’s message here.”
Kyeswa argues that the Busoga model helped streamline communication between grassroots leaders and the President, ensuring local issues were presented without interference.
Kyotera Handshake Incident Fuels Anger
Besides the distortion of message related before the President, tensions within the party recently escalated further after an incident in Kyotera, where Among is reportedly accused of blocking former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi from greeting President Museveni.
“That was a serious embarrassment,” Kyeswa said in a video circulating on TikTok and WhatsApp. “When veterans are humiliated in public, it shows the weakness of our internal structures. That kind of behaviour damages respect and unity.”
Accusations of Interfering With District Memoranda
Senior Cadres also accuse Among of interfering with district memoranda meant to be presented directly to the President—documents that outline local achievements, challenges and priorities.
“At rallies, districts are supposed to present their memoranda,” Kyeswa said.
“But Hon. Among often alters or blocks the content, claiming she will handle the issues herself. That denies Buganda a direct voice before the President.”
They say this practice has frustrated grassroots leaders and weakened confidence in the campaign process.
Kyankwanzi Snub Raises More Alarm
Another incident cited occurred in Kyankwanzi, where President Museveni launched his Buganda campaign trail. Cadres say Among had forgotten to invite her immediate boss, Al Hajj Moses Kigongo, the NRM First National Vice Chairperson, before attempting to invite the President to speak.
“That moment suggested she does not recognise Buganda leaders or the party hierarchy here,” said a district official.
“It sent the wrong signal to mobilisers on the ground.”
The cadres are now calling for an urgent reset of the Buganda campaign strategy, insisting that Among should step aside and allow Buganda-based NRM leaders and district structures to engage the President directly—just as was done in Busoga.
“If the President is to win Buganda hearts in the remaining districts, he must hear directly from Buganda leaders,” Kyeswa said. “The Busoga approach worked. Buganda deserves the same respect.”
By press time, neither Speaker Among nor the NRM Secretariat had issued a formal response.
NRM supporters at a Buganda rally as senior cadres call for local leaders to directly engage President Museveni, citing the Busoga campaign model.
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