President Yoweri Museveni
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday ordered the immediate closure of a meeting involving National Resistance Movement (NRM) district chairpersons that was taking place at Hotel Africana in Kampala, reliable sources exclusively reveal.
Highly placed sources say that the President, who also serves as the NRM National Chairman, instructed the party’s Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, to call off the gathering and officially close it on his behalf. This directive effectively brought the meeting to an abrupt end.
The development comes amid rising political tensions within the ruling party, especially ahead of the highly anticipated NRM Delegates Conference slated for August 2025. The conference will elect the party’s top leadership for the next five-year term.
Sources indicate that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, was scheduled to address the gathering in person before the meeting was suddenly cancelled. Instead, her message was delivered by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
According to insiders, the President was reportedly displeased with the real intent behind the meeting, which was perceived to be a veiled campaign platform for candidates contesting for top positions in the upcoming party elections. Although the organisers had branded the gathering as a consultative and cohesion-building forum, it is understood that Museveni was concerned it had been repurposed for early politicking.
“Since she is challenging Rt Hon Kadaga, she was going to use it as a platform to campaign with her coming as one of the main speakers,” the source said of the speaker’s attendance that did not happen.
The meeting was officially closed by NRM’s First National Vice Chairman, Alhajji Moses Kigongo, and Secretary General Todwong, in line with the President’s directive. Addressing the attendees, they emphasized the importance of unity, discipline, and adherence to party procedures during this crucial period.
“The Chairman is closely monitoring developments within the party and will not tolerate any actions that may cause disunity or compromise the integrity of the internal electoral process,” a source close to the top leadership told us.
The NRM is currently preparing for a competitive electoral cycle within its ranks, with Rt. Hon. Anita Among expected to challenge First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga for the influential position of NRM First National Vice Chairperson (Female).
Sources add that the President had received prior intel of the meeting and was in the process of blocking only to learn that the chairpersons had gathered at the hotel.
This development will serve as a big blow to Among’s candidature as it is a clear indication the top echelons of power are concerned about the implications of her political manoeuvring.
An analyst who preferred anonymity says organizing an event of such magnitude without the National Chairman’s consent and approval could dampen their political fortunes.
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