NRM flagbearers in northern Uganda have told Odrek Rwabwogo, the president’s son- in- law and businessman that they are broke and in need of money for their campaigns.
The aspirants told Rwabwogo yesterday at an ‘‘ideology’’ training at Gulu Senior Secondary school in Gulu town that they are disappointed with the NRM Secretariat which has failed to live up to its promise of financially supporting them.
Former Gulu and Amuru Resident District Commissioner, Nabinson Kidega, now NRM candidate for Aruu County in Pader district said inadequate funding is hampering efforts of NRM candidates.
“We were told [by NRM Secretariat] that after finishing primary election we would be candidates for the party,’’ said Kidega before quickly adding ‘‘but now we are doing badly and if NRM secretariat doesn’t take up this matter seriously there shall be massive failure,’’ he said.
Judith Peace Achan, the Nwoya NRM woman MP flag bearer said they are finding it hard to campaign without money because of the ‘‘commericalised’’ nature of politics.
Rwabwogo met an audience of over 400 comprising of Resident District Commissioners, executives of the NRM party structure and NRM aspirants from the Acholi sub region. He asked them to support Museveni saying he [Museveni] has a plan to increase youth livelihood fund from 53 billion to 234 billion, with each district in the country getting 2 billion shillings.
Later, at a press conference at Lango College in Lira, after addressing a similar gathering as he had done in Gulu, Rwabwogo said his ideology training is funded by members of the business community he did not name.
“They [NRM aspirants] will receive whatever support is available but I am here not because of being supported by anyone one but the business community because I am a business man,’’ he said.
Odrek Rwabwogo sent shockwaves in the NRM when he picked nomination forms for NRM Vice Chairperson for western Uganda, a position occupied by NRM historical Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza. Another historical, Gen Kahinda Otafiire had also shown interest in the same seat.
Rwabwogo argued then that the party needed younger blood. But he was stopped in his tracks by the NRM Central Executive Committee. His father-in-law, the president, said Rwabwogo had not consulted him.
The president, however, praised Rwabwogo for his training on the NRM ideology and even signed an ‘‘NRM ideological and mentorship training manual’’ said to have been authored by Rwabwogo.
