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During his marathon meetings with delegates in Sebei sub region a few days ago, Buganda region NRM Chairman hopeful Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo called on fellow NRM leaders to beware and mindful of land grabbers who want to fluke the upcoming party elections to get for themselves CEC level positions and then proceed to use that as cover to act with impunity and engage land grabbing games.
Kasolo didn’t clearly reveal who we was referring to but its well known that he faces Hakim Kyeswa, Joseph Sewava, Jossy Niwabine, Godfrey Kiwanda and Moses Karangwa. Each of these wants to become the NRM chairman for the central region and eventually CEC member.
Describing himself as a tested and trusted leader by key influencers from his native central region, Kasolo said that of all these he was the best because he has organically grown through the ranks to reach where is today.
He said that even when he is an elected MP and minister in president Museveni’s government, he has never used his position to mistreat people or grab anyone’s land.
He added that his track record was self-explanatory and is the reason why all the people who matter have endorsed his bid including the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, elder and senior citizen Hajji Abdul Nadduli and the two former vice presidents-Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Sekandi.
He also referred to the endorsements he has received from key leaders in all regions of Uganda. Kasolo also proposed reforms into the NRM constitution especially on how CEC bosses and regional chairpersons and those of the different leagues are elected.
“Yes its okay to consider national character but again, it can be counterproductive and weaken our mobilisation. Under the current framework [regional CEC bosses being voted by delegates from the whole country], someone can become the regional chairman for NRM with zero votes from that very region he wants to lead but still sit in CEC because of votes from other regions. That can weaken mobilization because a chairperson of a region where you got zero votes can’t deliver much,” observed Kasolo.
He went on to suggest that a requirement must be quickly introduced in the party constitution for whoever wants to become the vice chairperson to score not less than 51% of the delegates’ votes from the region he wants to lead and represent in the CEC.
He also marketed the idea of having NRM leaders integrated to sit in meetings which make service delivery-related decisions in their cities, districts and sub counties. He said this will make NRM structure leaders empowered and hard to ignore.
In Sebei, majority delegates liked this proposal saying it would be the only way to ensure that delegates are not just used as voting machines at the delegates conference only to be dumped and disregarded immediately after.
After Sebei and parts of Karamoja, Kasolo who latest opinion polls have rated highly showing that he is leading his opponents with over 70% of the vote, went to Lango sub region where delegates received his message with enthusiasm.
They liked his manifesto, ideas and the fact that he has a good relationship with Mengo whose Buganda Kingdom the NRM badly needs to win back. At the end of it all, the Langis christened Kasolo with the name Omara, which they said depicts his status as a much-loved hero throughout Uganda, among the ruling NRM fraternity.
He also campaigned among delegates from the Bugisu sub region’s 7 districts where delegates assured him of their vote but implored him never to forget them after becoming a CEC member.
Describing him as the new standard-bearer they are now looking at at the CEC level, the Bugisu delegates assured Haruna Kasolo how they are tired of being used and dumped by leaders seeking CEC positions.
“We are convinced you will be different because you have organically rose through the ranks having started out as a district chairman for NRM. As someone who has been NRM chairman Kyotera for almost 15 years, we are sure that you know the neglect and other challenges we NRM structure leaders face even when our party is in government,” the gentleman who was the MC as Haruna Kasolo interacted with delegates from Manafwa implored the Microfinance Minister.
