There is growing discontent in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party over the arrival of newcomers who have been appointed to mobilise support the establishment.
In the past two weeks, President Yoweri Museveni who is also the NRM national chairman, appointed musicians Catherine Kusasira, Mark Magembe aka Buchaman and Full Figure and presidential advisers on Kampala, Ghetto affairs and musicians respectively.
However, we have learnt that this has not gone down well with NRM honchos who have pledged allegiance to the party and Museveni since time immemorial.
Sources in the corridors of power say the NRM honchos are not happy with the billions Museveni is dishing out to the ‘new signings’ whose roles on the political turf are not clearly defined on how they will help the party score the crucial goal in 2021.
Because of their appointments, the new breed of NRM mobilisers will reportedly get cars and cash to support their roles.
This is in addition to handsome paychecks to take home after their work or rallying people to Museveni.
Mysterious tycoon Sipapa also met the president and reportedly promised to help garner support for the NRM chairman.
BITTER DIE-HARDS
Events promoter, Balaam Baugahare who appears to have successfully penetrated the system and earned the favour of Museveni, was the first to come out and ‘vent his anger’ at how events were proceeding.
According to reports, the music promoter told Sipapa to apologise to music promoter Bajjo after the latter allegedly went on different media claiming Museveni had met a crook in Sipapa.
Kampala central NRM chairperson, Salim Uhuru who had been watching events from the sidelines also spoke out last week questioning the role of Kusasira.
The bubbly female musician responded to Uhuru saying he has no moral authority to question her role because he has been in the party and nothing visible appears to have been done by the city chairman.
She has since insisted that any NRM leader who wants to meet her must formally write to her as Special Presidential Adviser.
Godfrey Nyakana, Uhuru’s vice has also added his voice to Balaam and Salim saying the money which has allegedly been given to the newcomers will not bear fruit.
According to Nyakana, some of the people like musician Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool are being rewarded with billions yet party honchos are left on the sidelines.
He adds that the singer is arrogant and will not do much in terms of mobilisng for the party is concerned.
Bebe was recently rewarded with a car monster in the price ranges of shs400m, something that has not gone down well with NRM cadres who had dedicated their lives for years to fighting for the party.
Sources reveal that a majority of the elite in the party are ‘boiling with anger’ over the developments although they are afraid to come out and vent their disappointments for fear of being viewed as people opposing the party chairman’s decisions.
The sources add that some have resorted to simply saying ‘let them be given the chance to work,’ when asked about the appointments.
“They are not only raising eyebrows for the money being dished out but are also worried that these new comers will sweep away their roles. In addition to this is some felt left out because they were not consulted to offer advice,” the source added.
It waits to be seen how the party will allay the fears of die-hards with just over a year to the 2021 general elections and an opposition with popular musician-turned lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine to deal with.
