Senior leaders of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have moved to defuse escalating internal wrangles in Buikwe District, warning that continued divisions could fracture the party and erode its political influence in the area.
The Deputy NRM Chairperson for Buganda Region and Minister of State for Microfinance, Hajji Harunah Kyeyune Kasolo, convened an emergency meeting of party leaders at Nile Hotel in Njeru Municipality following reports of growing factionalism among local officials.
The meeting brought together district and sub-county NRM chairpersons, mayors, councillors, and parliamentary flag bearers. However, the District Woman MP and Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Diana Kagyenyi Nankunda Mutasingwa, who is accused of fueling divisions, did not attend.
Internal Rift Deepens
NRM District Chairperson Charles Kalangwa told Minister Kasolo that the party’s unity had deteriorated, allowing opposition parties to gain ground in Buikwe.
He accused Minister Mutasingwa of heading a faction that undermines officially endorsed NRM candidates.
“Some members who won NRM primaries have since abandoned the party line and are openly supporting opposition candidates,” Kalangwa said. “This behavior has weakened support for the President and the NRM in Buikwe.”
Former Lugazi Municipality MP Isaac Mulindwa Ssozi echoed these sentiments, claiming that Mutasingwa backed rival candidates during the 2021 primaries.
“In 2016, Buikwe was solidly NRM, but now three constituencies have fallen to the opposition,” Mulindwa warned. “If we don’t reconcile, we risk losing even more ground in 2026.”
Tempers Flare at Meeting
The gathering quickly turned heated as several leaders traded accusations of betrayal, intimidation, and disloyalty.
Jibril Kaisokampanga, one of the participants, declared he could not support Badru Kabuye, the NRM flag bearer for Njeru Municipality MP, citing personal animosity.
“I cannot back Kabuye because he once threatened to kill me and insulted my family,” he alleged.
Njeru Municipality Mayor Yasin Kyazze also blamed the crisis on indiscipline and disregard for party structures. “We have leaders who no longer respect the hierarchy of the party,” he said. “That is the root of our division.”
Kasolo Enforces Party Discipline
In his response, Minister Kasolo condemned the ongoing infighting and warned that the NRM would not tolerate indiscipline or sabotage from within.
“No member who undermines the party or refuses to cooperate will receive NRM support,” he cautioned. “Our biggest enemy in Buikwe is not the opposition — it is ourselves.”
Kasolo said internal conflicts had weakened the NRM’s appeal in Buikwe, where President Yoweri Museveni garnered only about 4,000 votes in the last election, compared to 14,000 votes for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine).
Steps Toward Reconciliation
The minister then mediated reconciliation between Mayor Kyazze and Badru Kabuye, who shook hands after Kasolo read a joint statement of unity.
He further urged Kalangwa to reconcile with Minister Mutasingwa, despite her absence, a suggestion Kalangwa accepted “for the good of the party.”
To cement peace efforts, Kasolo directed the district leadership to organize four reconciliation meetings across Buikwe, giving grassroots members a chance to voice grievances and rebuild trust before the next elections.
In a gesture of goodwill, Kasolo offered Mayor Kyazze and Giribo Warid, the NRM chairperson for Wakisi Division, sponsorships to Mecca (Umrah), and gave Kaisokampanga UGX 500,000 as appreciation for forgiving Minister Mutasingwa.
A representative of Minister Mutasingwa, Tom Wamala, dismissed the accusations, insisting that she remains loyal to the NRM and enjoys the full confidence of President Museveni.
Kasolo pledged to personally meet Minister Mutasingwa to address the allegations and reconcile her with her critics, emphasizing that the ruling party must restore unity if it hopes to reclaim Buikwe as a stronghold.
“Buikwe must return to the NRM fold,” Kasolo said. “We can only achieve that through discipline, respect, and reconciliation.”
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