MP Kadaga consoled, told to emulate great women

“She should avoid unnecessary comments on Museveni’s governance system. She can still get herself back.”

Kampala – 25, May 2021: Once a powerful woman in Uganda, the Kamuli district woman MP, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga is now “an ordinary legislator” in the 11th Parliament.

The former speaker of the 9th and 10th Parliament lost her bid for reelection (to the same office) on Monday, 24 May 2021, at Kololo independence ground during first sitting of the 11th Parliament.

She was trounced by Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah (the former deputy speaker) for 10 years.

In the race, she stood on independent ticket after NRM dumped her. She polled 197 votes. Another candidate, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (FDC) got 15 votes. A total of 522 valid votes were cast.

Chief Justice, Alfonse C. Owiny Dollo who presided over the election declared the Omoro County MP, Jacob Oulanyah as the new speaker (elect). He got 310 votes.

The loss was a huge setback to Kadaga. She had expected double celebrations; her 65th birthday and election victory.

Addressing the August House after Rt. Hon. Anita Among was elected and sworn in as deputy speaker, President Yoweri Museveni conveyed Kadaga “a happy birthday” message. At that time, Kadaga had already left Kololo independence ground.

Gen. Museveni said while Monday 24, May 2021 was Kadaga’s birthday, it was not too important for the country since there were two things. It was a day Lubiri was also attacked.

Kadaga who has built international networks and contacts during her tenure as speaker and deputy speaker of Parliament, has been told to emulate great women who left politics, and are now popular internationally.

“You are now a free woman to settle for less. In fact, hand over your Parliamentary seat to someone young and use your international profile to globe trot,” James William Mugengi, a Ugandan in the U.S., says.

“Her face values have increased. She has the profile to now make herself a great woman,” he adds.

Mugeni who’s a member of UNAA, further says there was a power play in Monday’s election, and threats to the power that be.

Many Ugandans are predicting that Kadaga will be appointed a Vice President soon. To Mugeni who hails from Tororo in the East, Kadaga can now settle for the prime minister. “If not, she should go her way.”

“Victoria Sekitoleko, Winnie Byanyima, Sebutinde Julia are a few examples of great women she should emulate.”

Kadaga cannot be a woman to sink in the deeper ends of the water, he says, adding that she had “stagnated as a speaker; she can now explore her full potentials”.

“Kadaga is like someone who had sat at the edge of a river fearing to swim. She needed that push to swim; if she drowned, it will be her mistake.”

Isaah Otto Amiza (former Oyam South MP) tells TND News Hon. Kadaga was his candidate for speakership. “She has not lost anything. She is an elected MP of Kamuli district with a reputable record of service both in Parliament, her Constituency and Global Parliament.”

He adds that Kadaga should remain active in Parliament and represent her Constituency.

“She should avoid unnecessary comments on Museveni’s governance system. She can still get herself back,” former MP advises.

Hon. Otto concludes that “Kadaga Foundation” can be another thing to open and so outside Parliament.