East African Community Affairs Minister and Kamuli District Woman Legislator, Rebecca Kadaga, has criticized the chief of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, for allegedly collecting people’s National Identity cards (IDs) under the guise of preparing for the 2026 general elections, claiming they would be at the forefront of guarding President Museveni’s votes.
Kadaga voiced her concerns about Namyalo on Friday, October 4, 2024, while presiding over the launch and fundraising of her “Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (RAK) Education Initiative” at Nawanyago Primary School in Kamuli District.
The First Deputy Prime Minister, Kadaga, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Nawanyago town LC3, who remarked, “I am worried about individuals collecting people’s IDs, but we don’t know what they want them for. We don’t know these people, yet they claim they are looking for individuals to protect Mzee’s (Museveni’s) votes.”
Kadaga expressed her ignorance regarding the matter. Reports indicate that ONC officials are moving around Busoga, gathering individuals to help manage Museveni’s votes as the 2026 elections approach.
“I heard that some people came to Kamuli and convened meetings for the NRM. They are even registering people for issues I am unaware of, yet I am a leader of the NRM. I am the National Vice Chairman of NRM, but how can they do such things without my knowledge?” Kadaga said angrily.
“I am the chairperson of women’s leagues here in Kamuli, yet they don’t inform us. Why? These people should understand that we are the leaders in this area, and the public knows us better than them. They should consult us about anything happening,” she added.
Kadaga asserted that Namyalo is neither the head of the ruling NRM party nor the president of Uganda, labeling her as undisciplined.
“Please tell Madam Namyalo to act with discipline. Namyalo is not the president; she is just staff in the NRM office. Those individuals need to behave properly. We have structures and leaders in the party, and we are requesting that they go through the party to execute their duties correctly,” Kadaga stated, instructing Kamuli RDC Ms. Rose Birungi to investigate the matter.
During the event, a dramatic incident unfolded when police and Kadaga’s supporters forcibly removed her rival, Noet Nangobi, from the function, which she had attended without an invitation.
The youthful Nangobi, who serves as the district councilor representing the youth and is running against Kadaga in the anticipated 2026 general elections, was carried out by enthusiastic supporters of Kadaga led by a youth known as ‘Virus’. Nangobi found herself outside the school gate where the event was taking place.
A group of supporters initially gathered to plan the removal of Nangobi before being joined by police officers. In response to the forceful expulsion, Nangobi claimed she deserved to attend the event aimed at fundraising and promoting youth education.
“They are pushing me out of this event just because I am contesting against Kadaga! This is a function to address the challenges facing the youth, but now these opportunists won’t allow me to attend because I don’t support Kadaga!” Nangobi lamented.
Meanwhile, Kadaga’s RAK initiative aims to create significant change in the Busoga subregion through intentional giving and inclusivity, focusing on three pillars: formal education, health education, and supportive initiatives related to climate change.
According to Kadaga, the initiative seeks to promote education for young people in primary and secondary schools in the region.
“I instructed the leaders of this initiative to survey the status of schools in Kamuli. The findings were disturbing. Some schools lack staff quarters, learners study outdoors, and most do not have necessary scholastic materials. Thus, we came up with this idea to solicit funds to address these challenges,” Kadaga explained.
RAK plans to establish an examination board in Busoga to assess learners at no cost, with a standard printing machine to be procured for this purpose. This machine will also print books to be provided to students in schools.
“We have a printing machine in Kamuli that is currently idle, and another at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters that is also unused. I want both to be put into operation,” Kadaga stated.
Buzaaya MP Martin Muzaale Mugabi commended the initiative, saying, “I will mobilize successful Basoga in Kampala to contribute to this cause.” He supported the initiative with a pledge of shs 2 million.
The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) representative, Richard Kawere, expressed gratitude towards Kadaga for her unique campaign to benefit Busoga children.
“We extend warm greetings to Honorable Rebecca Kadaga and commend her for the great work she is doing to empower the community. We thank her for the love and support to the institute and for this rare gesture of generosity,” Kazungu, the institute’s spokesperson, conveyed, adding that “The institute has contributed two million five hundred thousand (shs 2,500,000) towards the Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga initiative.”
A total of shs 21,270,000 was raised during the event, with more pledges made.