The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has deleted a tweet in which she had accused state agencies of harassing and blackmailing National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters to vote against her in the just-concluded Central Executive Committee elections.
Ms Kadaga beat her challenger, State Minister for Lands Persis Namuganza to retain her position as the second National Vice Chairperson (Female) for the NRM-Party during polls held on Thursday.
Kadaga polled 6,776 votes against Namuganza’s 3,882 votes to retain the seat.
Following her victory, Kadaga praised NRM voters for enduring intimidation from state agencies to vote for her, adding that she was particularly proud of the ministers and members of parliament who stood by her amidst threats by Ruth Nankabirwa.
Namuganza had built her campaign on the ills that sailed through parliament against the ruling party under Kadaga's stewardship, specifically riding on a displeasure motion against President Yoweri as one of the reasons Kadaga should be ejected from CEC. However, NRM Spokesperson Emmanuel Dombo Lumala and Vice-Chairman Alhaji Moses Kigongo advised her against proceeding that way.
The campaign was complicated when the government Chief Whip Ruth Nankavirwa openly accused Kadaga of working with and for the opposition and using NRM for personal gain. Kadaga's handlers, however, defended the speaker's stance in parliament saying she depicts neutrality in a house that comprises of both government and opposition legislators.
However, Nankabirwa told news channel URN that it is not true that she threatened and harassed voters, but says she used the right to free expression to campaign for a candidate she thought would work better in the Central Executive Committee of NRM.
“I didn’t threaten anybody and I did not move away from my constituency in Kiboga, I stayed at my home, how did I threaten anybody? I want to hear her words towards reconciliation,” Nankabirwa told the channel.
Journalist Arinaitwe Rugyendo responded to Kadaga's tweet before it was deleted, urging her to extend a hand of forgivenss.
"Congratulations Rt. Hon Speaker: My take: Extend the hand of forgiveness," Rugyendo tweted before quoting South African legendary politician: "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison," Nelson Mandela.
