High-profile political figures, youth leaders, and professionals have thrown their hats into the ring for key positions in the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC), as nominations continued into their second day.
Among the most notable contenders is First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, who was nominated to contest for the National Vice Chairperson (Female) seat.
“This afternoon, just before 1 pm, I was nominated to contest for the position of 2nd National Vice Chair NRM (female) for the period 2025-2031. This position was lobbied for by the NRM Women members to bring the Women’s perspectives into policy, programmes and innovation of NRM,” she said on X.
Kadaga, who says she lobbied for the creation of the position, dismissed claims that the role is traditionally reserved for the Speaker of Parliament. “What if the Speaker is male?” she asked, exuding confidence in her chances to clinch the post.
She later hosted longtime women’s rights activist Hon Margaret Lomonyong at her office at Kingdom House. “Grateful that she agreed to sponsor my candidature for 2nd National Vice Chairperson NRM (female)in the forthcoming elections.”
Kisembo seeks to unseat Hajj Moses Kigongo
Dr. Emmanuel Kisembo, a vocal critic of the current internal systems, has been nominated to challenge long-serving CEC member Hajj Moses Kigongo for the position of First National Vice Chairperson.
Kisembo pledged to revamp party structures by introducing monthly payments for NRM grassroots operatives and purchasing permanent district offices for the party.
In the Entrepreneurs League, Buyamba County MP Gyaviira Ssemwanga is eyeing the Chairperson seat. He has placed micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the centre of his campaign, calling for faster government payments and stronger policy support to boost competitiveness.
Also contesting in the Entrepreneurs League is Jacque Aguram Namuyonga, a lawyer vying for Vice Chairperson – Eastern Region. She advocates for the establishment of a parliamentary seat dedicated to representing entrepreneurs, stating that they are the “backbone of the country’s economy.”
Daniel Kidega, former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), was nominated for Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, a position that has remained vacant since the passing of Jacob Oulanyah in 2022. Kidega brings decades of leadership experience and aims to rekindle NRM’s strength in the North.
In the Central Region, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo is contesting for the Vice Chairperson slot. Flanked by former Vice Presidents Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and Gilbert Bukenya, Kasolo underscored the need to resolve internal divisions in Buganda, warning that disunity has given the opposition space to grow.
From the Western Region, lawyer Enoch Byaruhanga Barigye is seeking the position of Vice Chairperson. He has proposed a leaner Parliament and Cabinet, including fewer state ministers, to enable redirection of resources to development. He also called for a clear separation between internal party roles and national elective ambitions.
In the youth ranks, Edson Mafaari was nominated to run for National Publicity Secretary in the NRM Youth League. He pledged to bridge the gap between government programmes and young people, revive patriotism, and reform the current model of patriotic training at Kyankwanzi, which he described as overly bureaucratic.
Brenda Kiconco, another rising youth figure, is contesting for National Chairperson of the NRM Youth League. She urged fellow young people to take the reins of leadership now, not later. “We are the leaders of now, not tomorrow,” she said.
The CEC nominations, which began on Wednesday, are expected to conclude on Friday, setting the stage for what observers say could be one of the most competitive internal elections in the NRM’s recent history.
