By Simon Kasibante
Often times since he came to power, President Museveni has always given one full cabinet position to Bugisu subregion.
For example the subregion has had James Wapakhabulo (former minister/speaker), Beatrice Mukaye Wabudeya (minister) Irene Muloni Nafuna (minister) and Maria Gorreti Kitutu (minister) serving for years in that position save for Kitutu who disgraced herself by allegedly stealing mere iron sheets.
These are the four full ministers who have served under Museveni representing the subregion.
Bugisu subregion is historical to NRM as it hosted the first cells of FRONASA, the reason Gen. Museveni has always given it priority whenever he named his cabinet.
This trend had continued until last week when Museveni shocked many after he withdrew the top cabinet seat from them in his latest changes in cabinet.
According to him, this wasn’t either a reshuffle or a mini-reshuffle but a ‘slight amendment’ to his cabinet list.
Whether slight or mini-reshuffle, inspectors suggest the Bagisu are still keeping their ears and eyes open waiting to receive news on the fate of their position.
“If Kitutu misbehaved, does this mean the whole Bugisu misbehaved? Politically, the subregion is still well disciplined and therefore, actions of an individual cannot disenfranchise the whole subregion of its share of the NRM cake” explained a top inspector.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Bugisu’s contribution to the liberation struggle dates back in the days of FRONASA that had a close alliance with Uganda-Vietnam Solidarity Committee of Prof. Dan Nabudere. Nabudere operated Lumumba progressive bookshop on Naboa road which was manned by Maumbe Mukhwana and Magode Ikuya (now state minister for EAC).
It is here that Maumbe, Musamali Ferbias, Wadada Musani, Nattolo Masaba and Magode Ikuya met and teamed up with Museveni as he came to read literature and listen to revolutionary communist ideology from Nabudere and Chango Macho who was also among the first Museveni ministers. It is this group which would later work with Museveni to set up FRONASA/NRA cells in Masabaland.
Musamali was a member of NRC/6th parliament chaired by Moses Kigongo while Musani was an SDA for Kumi and subsequently ambassador before he died and his wife was later appointed a Senior Presidential Advisor although her appointment allegedly never took off until she also died 10 years later.
As for Nabudere, it is stated none of his lineage has ever been appointed in recognition of his contribution to the struggle. When he died, Museveni personally attended Nabudere’s burial in Buyobo-Sironko district, explaining the close close historical touch the duo had.
We have now learnt that Museveni is closely monitoring two top professionals from Nabudere clan to consider for appointment.
We’re told Museveni in his plans, intends to assign a full minister per subregion to act as his whip/tsar answerable directly the Office of the NRM chairman in relation to 2026 political mobilization. With this information we are told, Bugisu is destined for a full cabinet position by end of the year.
Watch this space!
