First deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga has said no one will push her out of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, insisting that she remains firmly loyal to the party she has served since its inception.
Speaking to thousands of supporters during a grand homecoming event at Jinja Agricultural Showgrounds on Sunday, Kadaga said she remains firmly rooted in the NRM and will not be forced out by internal rivals.
“I want to assure you that I am still NRM, and nobody shall push me out of NRM,” Kadaga told the cheering crowd.
Her remarks come after two notable political setbacks in recent years: her ousting from the position of Speaker of Parliament in 2021, and her recent loss to Anita Among in the contest for NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson seat.
For many in the Busoga sub-region, these developments have stirred frustration and claims of targeted marginalization of a prominent regional figure. Some supporters, including local leaders, accused internal party forces of sidelining Kadaga despite her long-standing service to both the NRM and the nation.
“They first removed her from the Speakership, and now they’ve blocked her from the Central Executive Committee. But we, as people of Busoga, continue to support her,” said Habib Bumba, a supporter present at the event.
The homecoming, which began in Jinja City and continued to Kamuli, turned into a significant show of political strength, drawing supporters from across the political spectrum. Convoys of cheering residents lined the roads, escorting Kadaga to her constituency.
The event was attended by leaders from both the ruling party and opposition parties, including representatives from the National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and the People’s Front for Freedom.
Andrew Kaluuya, NUP’s Regional Coordinator for Eastern Uganda and a former MP, said the opposition delegation was present “to pay tribute to Kadaga’s contribution to the region’s development and political history.”
In her address, Kadaga took aim at unnamed Members of Parliament from Busoga, whom she accused of orchestrating political campaigns against her over the years.
She also expressed disappointment developments in the Busoga Kingdom set up, alleging that certain individuals appointed to the Kyabazinga’s cabinet were working to undermine her leadership.
“We fought tirelessly for the enthronement of our Kyabazinga, but he appointed corrupt ministers in his cabinet — some of whom are behind my political woes,” Kadaga claimed.
While the Kyabazinga’s office has not officially responded to the allegations, the statements added a layer of regional tension to an already politically charged homecoming.
Kadaga’s political resilience remains a subject of national interest. Her continued influence in Busoga and within sections of the NRM suggests she may still play a key role in shaping both regional and national politics in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.
The homecoming served not only as a personal affirmation of loyalty to the ruling party but also as a reminder of Kadaga’s enduring grassroots support — even amid internal competition and regional political friction.
