Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has openly accused former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga of helping President Yoweri Museveni remain in power. Speaking recently, Bobi Wine said Kadaga had a clear chance to stop Museveni from returning to the ballot but chose not to act. According to him, her decisions during critical moments in Uganda’s politics allowed Museveni to continue his rule.
The controversy stems from the 2017 parliamentary debate that removed the presidential age limit of 75 years. At that time, Kadaga was the Speaker of Parliament and presided over a chaotic session. The constitutional change allowed Museveni, who had already passed the age limit, to run in the 2021 elections. Bobi Wine claims he personally reminded Kadaga, whom he calls his “aunt,” that she had the power to change Uganda’s political future. He said, “Museveni had no other option to stay in power. I told my aunt, ‘This is the only opportunity. You are the Speaker of Parliament. You can save Uganda.’” Bobi Wine believes Kadaga was used by the regime to keep Museveni in power.
Interestingly, Kadaga herself once admitted on television that Museveni’s continued political survival depended on her support in lifting the age limit. She even argued that her loyalty to Museveni justified her bid for another term as Speaker. Despite this, the ruling party later sidelined her. In May 2021, the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) refused to endorse her, instead backing her deputy, the late Jacob Oulanyah. Kadaga contested as an independent candidate but lost to Oulanyah, who had full party support.
Her setbacks continued during the 2025 NRM CEC elections when the party endorsed her rival, Anita Among, for the influential position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female). Kadaga claimed Museveni failed to reward her loyalty and said she felt “publicly humiliated” after losing her Speaker position. Many Ugandans on social media have reacted sharply, reminding her that she once sided with a government that has ruled for nearly four decades. They argue she should not expect sympathy now that she has fallen out of favor.
With another presidential election approaching, it remains uncertain whether Museveni will keep Kadaga in his Cabinet or remove her completely. What is clear is that Kadaga’s choices in 2017 played a crucial role in shaping Uganda’s political path, and her relationship with Museveni has been deeply affected by the shifts in loyalty and power within the ruling party.
