President Yoweri Museveni is reported to have strongly opposed the proposed appointment of Hon. Kabanda as a parliamentary commissioner during a recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, in what insiders describe as a tense moment that influenced the final list of nominees.
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the issue arose when Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who was tasked with presenting the shortlist of proposed commissioners, read out Kabanda’s name as the first nominee.
It is at this point, sources say, that the President’s demeanor reportedly shifted, signaling immediate disapproval.
Witnesses within the meeting claim that Museveni objected to Kabanda’s inclusion, reportedly questioning his suitability and trustworthiness for the influential parliamentary role.
The President is said to have expressed concerns about granting such a position to an individual he allegedly views as unreliable in government matters.
In a comparison that further underscored his reservations, Museveni reportedly likened Kabanda to Michael Katungi, a Patriotic League Uganda (PLU) official who has faced legal challenges in the United States over alleged drug-related offenses.
The comparison, according to sources, heightened the weight of the President’s objection and shaped the direction of the discussion.
Efforts to defend Kabanda’s nomination were reportedly made by State Minister Haruna Kasolo, who argued that Kabanda’s appointment could strengthen the ruling party’s political standing in the Buganda region.
However, insiders indicate that these arguments did not sway the President’s position.
Following the exchange, the committee is said to have settled on an alternative list of nominees. Hon. Susan Jolly Abejja, Hon. Nakut Faith, and Hon. Jessica Ababiku were reportedly endorsed to represent the NRM as commissioners in Parliament.
The developments, while not officially confirmed by the party, point to internal deliberations that often shape key political appointments within the ruling party.
They also highlight ongoing strategic considerations by the NRM leadership, particularly in balancing regional representation and internal trust within its ranks.