Information reaching Ono Bwino political desk shows that former tourism minister Ssalongo Geoffrey Kiwanda Suubi has complicated the National Resistance Movement (NRM) deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko’s chances of being promoted to replace her boss Richard Todwong as the ruling party’s Secretary General
This website can exclusively report that Kiwanda has been clandestinely lobbying for the said job after learning that President Yoweri Museveni who also doubles as the NRM national chairperson is likely to deploy Todwong to the Office of the Prime Minister which will render his current job vacant.
Talks in the corridors of power suggest that Museveni is going to appoint Todwong as the Second deputy Prime Minister and he will be in charge of parliament business so that he helps in executing the implementing the NRM manifesto since he was at the centre of making it.
Gen Salim Saleh intervened into the recent Nakaseke South parliamentary election where the incumbent Paulson Ssemakula Luttamaguzi accused Namayanja of fraudulently influencing his defeat by helping her husband Nsereko Basajjasuubi to snatch his victory.
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The General who is also Museveni’s young brother and his Chief advisor, according to sources was very furious and warned that Namayanja and husband’s actions were creating ground for opposition people like Luttamaguzi to incite the public against those in government.
The General, according to sources directed Namayanja and the husband to settle their political grievance with Luttanaguzi by compensating him, or else he was ready to support him in the courts of law to reclaim his victory.
Sources have disclosed that Kiwanda is building on that ground to fuel his chances of becoming the chief NRM Secretariat Administrator well knowing that Gen Saleh is fundamental in influencing Museveni’s decision on deploying party cadres in different positions of authority in his coming term.
“Now days Kiwanda is walking with a spring in his step telling everyone to address him as the incoming NRM Secretary General. He is also lecturing the public on how powerful that office is compared to being a cabinet minister because the one who holds that office attends cabinet meetings and other sensitive government meeting where influential decisions are made and also attends Central Executive Committee (CEC) meetings as a secretary,” a source quoted Kiwanda telling some members of the public
Kiwanda is also lobbying NRM CEC members especially speaker of parliament Annet Anita Among who is also the party’s first national vice chairperson in charge of women, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo the party’s first national vice chairperson and others to support his bid.
It should be noted that Kiwanda’s withdrawal from the National vice chairperson in charge of Buganda race in 2025 at the last hour at Kololo independence grounds was after a political deal was sealed upon the intervention of the powerful Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka who assured him that he will eat big in Museveni’s coming government.
Kiwanuka intervened after learning that Kiwanda’s stay in the race was costing his candidate Haruna Kasolo the state minister in charge of microfinance. Kiwanda’s withrawala was also the only way for Kasolo to beat businessman Moses Kariisa Karangwa who was using his money to put up what they called bad competition and chances were high that he was taking the day.
Kiwanda is now also banking on Kiwanuka who is a long-time personal lawyer to Museveni and sits on the high table where the national cake is shared from.
Kiwanda being a man free from corruption scandals and has not been cited in any criminality in the country has an advantage given that he also has a lot of support within the Mengo establishment.
However, this website understands that Kiwanuka and other Kiwanda lobbyists have to fight harder because Namayanja is a close confidant to President Museveni and has been executing his sensitive assignments within the party.
The NRM Secretary General is the administrative head of the ruling party who enjoys significant prestige, oversees mobilization countrywide, manages party resources, and works directly with top government leaders, including the President in securing the party’s future.
According to sources, NRM Secretary General receives a monthly salary of not less than Shs25m, a car, security, allowances and other benefits.
