Tensions are escalating within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) following sharp accusations by outgoing State Minister for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation), John Mulimba, who has openly criticised senior party officials over alleged corruption, vote buying, and manipulation in internal party elections.
In remarks that have intensified debate inside the ruling party, Mulimba argued that corruption investigations reportedly being pursued by CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Museveni in relation to former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among should not be confined to Parliament alone, but should also examine activities at the NRM Secretariat in Kyadondo.
The minister pointed fingers at senior figures within the party, including NRM Treasurer Barbara Nekesa, whom he accused of influencing internal elections through financial inducements and turning party contests into what he described as a “cash auction.”
“The election of the workers Member of Parliament, we expected the second national chairperson and the national treasurer to protect the flag bearer, Agnes Kunihira Abwooli,” Mulimba stated.
“Instead, the second national vice chairperson, Anita Among, and the national treasurer of NRM, Barbra Nekesa, distributed millions per voter and brought down Kunihira and presented a biological sister to the national treasurer, Fiona Nakku.”
Mulimba added: “So if you are talking about corruption and impunity and you think it is only hidden in Parliament, I have given you a hidden example. Museveni should stretch his arm and kick corruption out of NRM and arrest people like Nekesa and her entire group.”
The allegations emerge at a time when public attention remains fixed on ongoing scrutiny surrounding Anita Among’s financial dealings and claims of excessive expenditure. However, Mulimba’s comments now threaten to widen the conversation around accountability beyond Parliament and place the NRM Secretariat under renewed examination.
According to Mulimba, recent internal NRM elections were allegedly shaped by large-scale financial influence orchestrated by powerful actors within the party. He claimed candidates moved through campaign areas with substantial amounts of cash, transported in convoys of vehicles.
“You would see someone moving with three vehicles, but one of them was specifically carrying money,” Mulimba revealed.
He further alleged that during political mobilisation in his Samia Bugwe constituency, influential party operatives established operations in the area with nearly UGX 7 billion, which he claims was intended to undermine his political support base.
Mulimba alleged that some of his mobilisers were reportedly offered sums ranging between UGX 5 million and UGX 10 million to abandon him, while certain voters allegedly received between UGX 50,000 and UGX 100,000 on polling day in exchange for political backing.
The minister also linked political resistance against him to his close working relationship with Persis Namuganza, a senior NRM figure who has publicly clashed with Anita Among in recent years. According to Mulimba, his support for Namuganza during her disputes with the former Speaker may have contributed to political tensions directed at him.
The claims have reignited criticism surrounding the NRM Secretariat, particularly longstanding concerns about spending practices and allegations of financial mismanagement.
Attention has once again shifted to the controversial drone display organised ahead of President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony, an event that reportedly cost nearly UGX 2 billion despite lasting only a short time.
The aerial showcase had been marketed as a major technological spectacle intended to appreciate Ugandans before the inauguration at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. However, sections of the public later expressed disappointment after waiting for extended periods only to witness a brief drone appearance over parts of Ntinda before the display ended.
At the time, critics and insiders within political circles questioned how funds allocated to the event were utilised, with allegations surfacing that portions of the budget may not have reached intended service providers.
The renewed accusations are likely to intensify public debate over accountability and increase pressure on anti-corruption institutions, as well as President Museveni, to demonstrate whether ongoing anti-corruption efforts will extend to influential figures within the ruling party structure.
