By Chris Mugasha
BUSHENYI: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) today ended its party leadership structures with two rival political camps extending an ‘olive branch’ to each other.
The two top Bushenyi politicians have used the period to open their ‘gates’ to each other. For the first time, those who have never sat together on a round table, they have done it to negotiate on who takes what!
Prior to the voting day, one politician was heard saying, “This is my first time to step in this compound.”
At Bushenyi play grounds where voting/elections were conducted from, the saying that goes ‘in politics there is no permanent enemy…..’ was a true manifestation.
Hassan Bassajjabalaba was re-voted as the Bushenyi district NRM chairman while the district woman MP Annet Katusiime Mugisha was voted the district NRM vice chairperson. Katusiime was the 2nd person in Bassajjabalaba’s back and when it came to her turn Bassajjabalaba was also the 2nd one in Katusiime’s back. That was the signal of reconciliation that the two top politicians in the district sent out to the public. Katusiime went on to be the 2nd in the Igara East Micheal Mawanda’s back who was elected as the party’s treasurer.
Immediately after the elections, Bassajjabalaba took to the microphone to declare his support to Katusiime. “Now that I have declared to support you, I have come and let us work together,” Bassajjabalaba said as people cheered.
Caption: Bushenyi district woman MP Annet Katusiime addressing delegates.
There has been rift between Bassajjabalaba’s camp and the camp of the District woman MP Annet Mugisha. The tensions stem from the 2021 elections where Bassajjabalaba, Mawanda supported the former Minister Mary Karooro Okurut against Katusiime.
“I want to thank you (delegates) very much for choosing us as leaders of NRM. We are going to work as a team,” Bassajjabalaba said. “I want to thank Annet and his husband Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha for their support,” Bassajjabalaba said.
Katusiime described the day as landmark in history. The district woman MP said, “ I want to thank Hassan and also thank my husband Mugisha for allowing us that we work together for the unity of Bushenyi and development.” He disclosed how Bassajjabalaba hosted a number of meetings to reconcile the camps until they reached some agreements.
Analysists however said Bassajjabalaba had no option. “If he dared to decampaign Mugisha, he would have faced it rough because he was the main target and he also knew it. So, he has played his cards well,” one political analysist said.
Others who were voted include; the Igara East MP Micheal Mawanda (treasurer), Olden Taremwa .aka. Uganda (publicity) and Muheebwa Emmanuel (secretary general)
The election has however left some party members disgruntled/discontented over the manner in which the exercise was conducted from the start. They blamed Bassajjabalaba for influencing the entire exercise especially taking sides which put some candidates to a disadvantage hence loosing. “It has not been a free and fair exercise because its one camp that has gone through because of money,” complained one candidate who lost.
There has also been reports of lots of money exchanging hands with some candidates buying off the delegates.
What the public awaits to see is the impact of this reconciliation especially in the coming NRM primaries and the general elections.
Surprises
Muheebwa who had stood for the district NRM chairman position switched to the position of secretary general at the last hour. Taremwa who had contested to be elected as the party’s secretary general changed at the last minute to contest for publicity.
What people said on reconciliation
Apollo Kakonge a civil society guru said, “Well, reconciliation is good for our district.
The problem is when the principles reconcile and leave their supporters in conflict.”
“Now, when are they going to reconcile their supporters?” Kakonge wondered adding that, “For their ultimate victory, they threw away their differences.”
“Who are the ultimate loosers in this reconciliation? We now wait to see how the July NRM primaries will go,” he said.
Martin Rushegyera a politician and social analyst said, “These elections have served as reconciliation bringing together the two camps that emerged during the last general elections. But if not handled carefully, it might cause conflicts in the next elections. They need to manage this reconciliation very well.” Aggrey Kyampene an aggrieved resident who participated in the exercise said, “The practice of few individuals to decide for millions of people using the influence of their money should stop. Voters should be free to make their independent choices.”
End
