Kampala, Uganda – Anifa Kawooya, the State Minister for Health (General Duties), has declared her intent to contest for the NRM district chairperson seat but on one condition that former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa must not seek re-election.
Kawooya made her bold announcement on Friday following a tense six-hour meeting at the NRM secretariat in Kampala, chaired by Tanga Odoi, the party’s electoral commission boss.
The meeting was attended by top NRM figures from Sembabule, including MPs, district officials, and historicals.
“I am ready to offer myself for the position of NRM chairperson for Sembabule if Honourable Sam Kutesa does not seek another term. I respect him deeply, and I will not stand against him,” Kawooya told journalists after the meeting.
The revelation comes amid growing speculation about Kutesa’s political future. Though he retired from active ministerial duties in 2021, Kutesa has retained a tight grip on Sembabule’s NRM structures, often acting as a kingmaker in local politics.
Kawooya’s statement suggests a possible generational transition of leadership, with younger and more active leaders eyeing strategic positions within the NRM’s local machinery.
Insiders say Kawooya enjoys strong grassroots support in parts of Sembabule, especially among youth and women’s groups. Her role in national health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond has also raised her public profile.
According to sources who attended the meeting, Tanga Odoi urged all aspirants to respect party guidelines, promote unity, and avoid political sabotage.
There was also a call for internal dialogue between Kawooya and Kutesa to avoid a divisive showdown in the 2025 NRM primaries.
“We must protect the party from internal collisions. Let’s solve this as a family,” Odoi reportedly said during the closed-door session.
The party’s top brass in Sembabule are now awaiting word from Kutesa on whether he will run again or pass the baton.
Analysts say Kawooya’s conditional announcement is both strategic and diplomatic, acknowledging Kutesa’s legacy while positioning herself as the natural successor.
“It’s a masterstroke. She sends a message of ambition without triggering open rebellion,” noted political analyst Simon Ssewava.
Should Kutesa decline to contest, Kawooya may enter the race as a frontrunner. If he chooses to stay, a quiet negotiation or a potential political standoff could follow.
Sembabule, long regarded as a power base of the Museveni-era elite, is now experiencing a quiet political reshuffling. The upcoming NRM district elections, scheduled for early 2026, are expected to be fiercely contested.
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