The contest for the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) continues to stir tension within the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), with words turning sharper as the candidates seek support ahead of the upcoming delegates’ conference on August 27-28, 2025.
Former Speaker of Parliament and current Minister for East African Affairs, Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has launched a series of scathing personal and procedural attacks against her opponent, current Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Anita Annet Among.
Among, however, has chosen not to engage in the verbal warfare. Speaking during a recent consultative campaign, she dismissed the insults aimed at her and emphasized that she would maintain a respectful and composed approach.
“I have seen all the insults, but I was brought up in a good way. My upbringing taught me not to attack elders,” Among stated.
“I have deep respect for Hon. Kadaga. I won’t respond in kind, I wasn’t raised on the streets,” she added.
Among suggested that her demeanor reflects the kind of leadership the party needs, signaling a campaign rooted in restraint rather than retaliation.
Kadaga’s Criticism: From Personal Jabs to Policy Concerns
Kadaga has not held back in her criticism. She has repeatedly referred to Among with derogatory terms, including “Owekizigo” and “the cosmetics lady,”remarks that have drawn public backlash for their tone and implication.
Beyond personal insults, Kadaga has raised serious questions about Among’s eligibility. She claims that party rules require candidates for senior positions to have been NRM members for at least ten years, a condition Among allegedly does not meet, having crossed over from the opposition within the past decade.
Kadaga has also taken issue with the integrity of the election process itself. She has called on NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, to step aside from managing this particular election, citing his alleged mishandling of recent party primaries.
The Commission is not Tanga Odoi alone,” Odoi responded. “It has seven commissioners. I respect Kadaga, but her claims are misplaced.”
Odoi assured the public and party members that the CEC elections, scheduled to take place at Kololo Grounds, will be conducted transparently using a lining-up system.
“Candidates will be called, delegates will line up, and results will be visible. I cannot turn a short line into a long one,” he said.
“Even if my son were contesting, I wouldn’t influence voters. The process is in the hands of the Commission, not me.”
NRM Summons Candidates Over Verbal Escalation
In response to the growing tensions, the NRM party leadership has summoned all CEC aspirants to a critical meeting on August 12, 2025, aimed at addressing the use of abusive and divisive language during campaign consultations. Only the party chairman, who is unopposed, is exempt from the meeting.
As the race intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the focus will shift from personal attacks to policy and party vision, or whether the verbal clashes will continue to define the campaign.
