A long-standing political standoff that had threatened to split the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Buikwe District has finally been resolved following a high-level reconciliation between State Minister and Woman MP Hon. Diana Mutasingwa and District NRM Chairperson Mr. Charles Kalangwa.
The breakthrough, mediated by Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, marks a turning point for the ruling party as it seeks to consolidate its base and reclaim constituencies it lost to the opposition in the previous general election.
The dispute between the two leaders stemmed from the party’s internal elections, during which Minister Mutasingwa supported Njeru Municipality Mayor, Mr. Kyazze Yasin popularly known as Sitya Loss against Mr. Kalangwa.
When Kalangwa eventually won the district chairmanship, the fallout deepened, splitting the party into rival factions. The ensuing discord weakened the NRM’s grassroots structures and dampened its mobilization efforts ahead of the next polls.
Recognizing the growing danger of disunity, Hon. Kasolo intervened to mediate between the warring camps. The reconciliation process began on Thursday with a private meeting at the Nile Hotel in Njeru, where grievances were candidly discussed.
It culminated in a major gathering held in Kampala on Friday, attended by both Minister Mutasingwa and Mr. Kalangwa, as well as several NRM flag bearers from the district.
Those present included Mr. Isaac Sozzi (Lugazi Municipality), Mr. Kabuye Badru (Njeru Municipality), Mr. David Mutebi (Buikwe South), and Mayor Kyazze Yasin, who was at the centre of the initial conflict. The leaders collectively resolved to set aside their differences and work towards a common goal of strengthening the NRM in Buikwe District.
“The party’s interests outweigh our personal interests,” Minister Mutasingwa said after the meeting. “We need to put our differences aside and focus on ensuring the NRM wins all elective positions in Buikwe. Today marks a new beginning.”
Hon. Kasolo commended both sides for embracing reconciliation and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting their mobilization efforts.
“What we have witnessed today is a sign of maturity and patriotism, the people of Buikwe and the NRM family at large will benefit from this unity,” he said.
The move is seen as a timely boost for the ruling party, which is keen on regaining its former dominance in the district. In 2016, the NRM swept all three parliamentary constituencies and the Woman MP seat in Buikwe. However, the opposition made major gains in the 2021 elections, leaving Mutasingwa as the only remaining NRM MP.
With the internal rift now resolved and the party leadership presenting a united front, analysts believe the NRM stands a strong chance of reclaiming lost ground in Buikwe. The reconciliation, they note, could also serve as a model for conflict resolution within the party across Buganda Region as it gears up for the 2026 general elections.
