A rift has emerged within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) following President Museveni’s announcement of a new Cabinet on May 26, 2026, with a group of party members accusing the leadership of failing to honour commitments allegedly made during the 2026 general election campaign.
The aggrieved members, operating under the banner of the Buganda Ku Museveni Advanced Team, say they played a key role in mobilising support for President Museveni across Buganda.
However, after missing out on the newly announced Cabinet appointments, they claim promises of ministerial positions and other government roles were not fulfilled.
The group includes several individuals who lost in the highly contested NRM primaries but later withdrew their independent bids following engagements with senior party leaders.
Among them is the Secretary General of the Buganda Ku Museveni Advanced Team, Ntwa Ntwa John Jackson, who contested for the NRM flag bearer position for Nakifuma County in Mukono District.
After losing in the party primaries, he ran as an independent candidate before later stepping down following dialogue with party leadership.
The official NRM flag bearer, Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, was subsequently defeated by NUP's Sulaiman Kiwanuka in the general election.
Similarly, the group's chairperson, Nakalawa Faridah, stepped down in favour of Agnes Kirabo Nantongo in the race for Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament.
Nantongo later lost to incumbent Brenda Nabukenya of the NUP. Other members of the group also withdrew from various races, citing party unity and loyalty to the NRM.
The group says its members became politically disadvantaged after primaries they allege were characterised by violence, bribery and intimidation.
They claim that a series of meetings with senior NRM officials, culminating in an engagement with President Museveni at State House Entebbe, persuaded them to abandon their independent bids and campaign for the party's official candidates.
Speaking to Nile Post, Ntwa Ntwa said the group was assured that those who sacrificed their political ambitions for party unity would be considered for leadership positions.
“We were invited for dialogue at State House and when we reached there, I and many others, amounting to 120 people, dined with President Museveni for lunch and dinner. He assured us that we were automatically going to be appointed to high leadership positions equivalent to that of a Member of Parliament,” Ntwa Ntwa said.
He said he was shocked when the final Cabinet list was released without his name.
“You can't imagine. I was assured of becoming a minister and waited keenly for the list to come out, only to find my name missing,” he said.
The disappointed members argue that they helped the NRM make gains in Buganda, a region where the opposition has traditionally maintained significant support. They also allege that promises of logistical facilitation and transport allowances made during the campaign period were never fulfilled.
Nakalawa expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of appreciation for loyal party supporters.
“How can our party reward us with bitterness after being loyal? I made sacrifices and stood firmly with the party. This must end,” she said.
She added that promises of transport allowances and other logistical support also remained unmet.
However, the NRM leadership has acknowledged holding meetings with the group but insists that any concerns should be addressed through established party structures.
The party's Director of External Affairs, Maj. (Rtd) Awich Pola, urged patience, saying the process of government formation was still ongoing.
“Promises were made and they still stand. I urge our members to remain calm and have trust in the President’s word. The formation of government is still ongoing,” Awich said.
The disgruntled members claim that many other NRM loyalists who stepped down under similar arrangements share the same concerns but have chosen not to speak publicly.
The development highlights growing discontent among some party supporters who believe their sacrifices during the election period have not been adequately recognised. Whether the grievances will have any long-term impact on party cohesion in Buganda remains to be seen.