KAMPALA, UGANDA – Political tensions are rising within Uganda’s ruling NRM party ahead of the Kyankwanzi retreat, with Minister Persis Namuganza accusing senior officials of plotting to block her attendance.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The seven-day retreat, scheduled to begin Tuesday at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, is meant to bring together elected NRM Members of Parliament and over 40 independents aligned with the ruling party.
Minister Persis Namuganza has accused NRM Secretariat officials of subjecting her to what she calls “illegal procedures,” including forcing her to commit to signing a memorandum of understanding with the party.
Despite her independent status, Namuganza insists her historical ties to the NRM, including founding the party’s National Youth League, should not be questioned.
“These people wanted to subject me to illegal procedures, like forcing me to commit to signing an MoU with the party. Yes, I am independent, but my ties to this party, including my role in forming the National Youth League, should not be questioned. This is our party; I am NRM. Why would anyone subject me to such unfair treatment?” Namuganza noted.
Minister Namuganza, who is also vying for the powerful position of Speaker of Parliament, confirmed to the media that she reported the matter to the party chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni, who invited her in his personal capacity.
Meanwhile, NRM party spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo denied barring anyone from the retreat, saying the party only asked independents to register and is not forcing an MoU since they are still MPs-elect.
He clarified that the Kyankwanzi retreat is purely for orientation, focusing on party ideology, governance, national security, the “Musevenomics” economic framework, agriculture, infrastructure, and managing public expectations.
“No one has been stopped from attending. The party only asked independents to register for planning purposes and is not forcing anyone to sign an MoU since they remain MPs-elect until swearing-in. This retreat is purely for orientation on party ideologies and managing public expectations,” Dombo clarified.
The developments come amid intense political maneuvering within the party, as various contenders position themselves ahead of key leadership contests, including the high-stakes race for Speaker of Parliament.
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