Kamuli, Uganda: A meeting of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Kamuli District turned tense after disagreements emerged over the distribution of facilitation funds intended for grassroots party structures, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability.
The meeting, held at the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), brought together 22 NRM sub-county chairpersons to discuss allegations surrounding the handling of funds earmarked for party supporters at the sub-county and parish levels.
The chairpersons raised concerns over a circular from the NRM Secretariat directing them to collect funds on behalf of women leaders, a move that sparked disagreement among party officials.
Kamuli Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Mastula Namatovu opposed the arrangement, insisting the funds were specifically intended for women leaders and should be delivered directly to them.
“I have been unfairly portrayed as having misappropriated NRM funds, which is not accurate. I am here to ensure that, regardless of the circumstances, the funds must be allocated to women, as they have often been marginalized,” she said.
Namatovu said discussions with First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga clarified that the funds were designated for women leaders.
“Our woman chairperson provided guidance to the NRM leadership in Kamuli to allocate funds to women and sub-county chairpersons, countering their detrimental plans.”
Women leaders from different sub-counties welcomed the intervention, saying it protected resources intended for their activities.
Monica Mukasa, the Publicity Officer for Women’s Affairs in Kamuli, thanked the Kamuli Municipality legislator for ensuring the funds reached the intended beneficiaries.
“We wish to express our sincere gratitude, as we find ourselves in a vulnerable position and were nearly at risk of losing these funds to the sub-county chairpersons who have made it a habit of misusing our money in guise of bringing it for us. This time round we’ve caught them offside and off guard. No fowl cry,” Mukasa said.
Following a prolonged standoff, the sub-county chairpersons, led by Charles Magaya, agreed to the new arrangement but maintained that the district NRM leadership had failed to trust grassroots leaders with the funds.
“We express our profound discontent and firmly oppose leaders who have consistently imposed restrictions on us at grassroots level,” Magaya said.
Kamuli Resident District Commissioner Rose Birungi called on leaders to prioritise integrity and unity within the ruling party, urging members to elect leaders committed to serving the interests of the NRM.
“It is my sincere hope that only leaders of integrity and dedicated members of the National Resistance Movement are elected to office in order to achieve our leadership objectives,” she said.
The meeting ended with calls for improved coordination between district and grassroots leaders to avoid future disputes over facilitation and strengthen party mobilisation.
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