The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s top organ, Central Executive Committee yesterday agreed to fully support Raphael Magyezi’s bill.
This was according to a statement released by the party’s deputy secretary general, Richard Todwong.
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Todwong said the CEC had also agreed to popularise their decision to popularise Magyezi’s bill at all structures and membership of the NRM, and the entire country guiding and mobilising them accordingly.
“In spirit and culture of democracy that the NRM fought for and believes in, we call upon the population to be respectful and tolerant of all diverse views that may be peacefully and lawfully expressed during this process,” he added.
Nile Post already reported that at least three members of the CEC dissented; NRM Youth League chairman, Gaddafi Nassur, Vice Chairperson of NRM western Uganda, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza and the NRM chairman for Karamoja, Simon Aleper.
We can also reveal that initially, the number of those dissenting was twice bigger but towards the end of the CEC, something unusual happened.
Members had failed to get a stand on the matters of Magyezi’s Bill when President Museveni, who was within the building walked in.
“He had been watching somehow and when we started disagreeing, he walked in and the room went completely quiet, what came next are the resolutions,” one of the CEC members who preferred anonymity mentioned.
Museveni then moved out. But the damage was already done as shortly after that, his private secretary on Political Affairs, Mr David Mafabi walked in with typed resolutions from the CEC meeting.
The resolutions were later to be owned by Todwong and circulated widely all over social media even before the meeting could end.
This was about the second time Museveni was entering the room. At the beginning of the meeting, as members were waiting on him to commence, he dashed in.
On entering the room, Museveni remarked; “I am not the chairman.” Waved both hands and marching out he said: “Kigongo is chairing.”
Kigongo would later turn down the offer and instead insist Minister without Portfolio, Al Hajji Abdu Naduli chairs the meeting.
Meanwhile the CEC, members failed to agree. The meeting was adjourned with only three members on record for dissenting, but the resolutions were already with the media.
Museveni recalled the CEC for a second sitting the next day (Wednesday) to be sure the sitting endorses the Bill unanimously. The CEC was to sit shortly before the High Command meeting.
