{UAH} Allan/ Pojim/WBK: Museveni intervenes in Kyaligonza-Odrek row

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39810-museveni-intervenes-in-kyaligonza-odrek-row

Museveni intervenes in Kyaligonza-Odrek row

Written by OUR REPORTER

Last Updated: 11 September 2015

President Museveni has intervened in the Kyaligonza-Rwabwogo row

President Yoweri Museveni, the ruling NRM chairman, has intervened to calm a row between Maj Gen (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza and the political novice Odrek Rwabwogo, The Observer has learnt.

Rwabwogo, the president's son-in-law, has brought unwelcome attention to the first family in recent weeks, with his campaign to unseat Kyaligonza as NRM vice chairperson for Western Uganda.

The Observer understands that a meeting took place at State Lodge Nakasero on Tuesday, where President Museveni met both Rwabwogo and Kyaligonza largely to mediate an amicable solution to their political rivalry for the NRM position.

Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, another contender for Kyaligonza's seat, has been quietly going about his campaigns and did not join the belligerent duo at State House. Since Rwabwogo announced his intention to claim the seat held by Kyaligonza for many years, the bush war veteran launched a sustained attack on the president's son-in-law, which persistently sucked in the first family.

Although details of the meeting are still scanty, The Observer has learnt that the president asked the two principals to furnish him with their credentials to show who is more suitable for the job. According to our source, Museveni said the credentials should include academic qualifications and working experience in terms of sustaining the party.

This writer, however, couldn't independently verify this development. Our repeated telephone calls and text messages to Rwabwogo have gone unanswered.

Contacted for a comment on Wednesday, Kyaligonza denied knowledge of a meeting between him, Museveni and Rwabwogo but vowed to defeat his rival hands down on both counts of education and track record in terms of sustaining the party.

"I am not aware of that development [meeting], but in that case, Rwabwogo can't beat me in education because I have two master's degrees if he has [a master's degree], he has only one and I have got a clean track record," he said by telephone on Wednesday.

Asked about the meeting, NRM secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba said: "There were efforts to bring harmony [among] them [Kyaligonza and Rwabwogo] but it hasn't [happened] yet."

Kyaligonza has complained that Rwabwogo was riding on his first family connection to unseat him. But he was even more incensed by Rwabwogo's suggestion that the old guards in NRM should give way to younger blood.

Last month, Kyaligonza told The Observer that he would want the party organs, particularly the Central Executive Committee, the second-highest decision-making organ of NRM, to discuss their contest. He said Rwabwogo's candidacy would "set a dangerous precedent in NRM."

"I will bring [Rwabwogo's bid] to the attention of the party organs if an opportune time comes and you are making me do the wrong thing of talking about this issue in the wrong forum [media] because I know where I am supposed to take this issue," he added.

Rwabwogo, in subsequent interview with The Observer, said:  "I give him [Kyaligonza] the due respect and honour that you give to an elder. However, I stand on the shoulders of the elders in order to do something better because there is always an evening of something and dawn of another."
newseditor@observer.ug

Museveni intervenes in Kyaligonza-Odrek row

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39810-museveni-intervenes-in-kyaligonza-odrek-row

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