By Eric Yiga
Vivian Kobusigye Kalule has been declared the unopposed NRM flag bearer for Mukono District Women’s Chairperson after her sole remaining rival, Catherine Birungi, withdrew from the party primaries on Friday.
The primaries, held at the NRM district offices, were organised to elect the district women’s chairperson and her executive, comprising the vice chairperson, publicity secretary and treasurer. The contest for the top position had attracted the most attention.
Women’s chairpersons from Mukono’s 18 sub-counties began arriving at the venue at about 9:00 a.m., with some already gathered before proceedings began.
Among the contenders was Birungi, the Kyampisi Sub-County women’s chairperson, who had been endorsed by Juliet Nasuuna Kalule, the NRM Women’s Leader in Buganda. Kobusigye, the Nama Sub-County women’s chairperson, was the other leading contender.
Sources at the venue said Nasuuna left after assessing that Birungi did not have enough support among the delegates, despite being expected to participate in the voting process.
Vivian Kobusigye Declared Unopposed as Mukono NRM Women’s Chair
The candidates and their proposed executive committees were formally nominated. At about 11:00 a.m., Mukono NRM registrar Stephen Nakabaale briefed the delegates on the voting procedures.
Tensions briefly arose when district councillor Nakanwangi, who represents persons with disabilities, arrived at the venue but was reportedly denied the opportunity to vote.
Before the delegates moved indoors, the candidates addressed journalists and outlined their plans to strengthen women’s leadership at the grassroots, work with Local Council structures on women’s issues and ensure that women benefit directly from government programmes.
Inside the NRM boardroom, Nakabaale urged Birungi and Kobusigye to consider reconciliation and avoid a divisive contest.
Birungi then stood and announced her withdrawal from the race, saying she was stepping aside in the interest of the party and the people of Mukono North. She urged Kobusigye to remain focused on the shared goal of advancing women’s interests.
Her decision was met with applause from the women and other NRM members present. Some attendees, however, criticised Nasuuna and other party leaders, accusing them of attempting to interfere with the process for personal interests.
Nakabaale subsequently declared Kobusigye unopposed as the NRM flag bearer for District Women’s Chairperson, together with her proposed executive team.
Later, Mukono NRM district administrator Seruga Matovu called on the women to put the morning’s disagreements behind them and work together ahead of the forthcoming elections.
He urged them to remain united and mobilise support for the party in the elections scheduled for the 28th.
The primaries ended without a formal vote for the women’s chairperson after Birungi withdrew from the contest, leaving Kobusigye as the sole candidate.
