Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has accused former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga of helping President Yoweri Museveni stay in power. He claims Kadaga had a chance to stop Museveni from running again but chose not to act. According to Bobi Wine, her decisions at key moments allowed Museveni to extend his rule.
The issue dates back to 2017, when Parliament debated removing the presidential age limit of 75 years. Kadaga, as Speaker, presided over a tense and chaotic session. The constitutional change allowed Museveni, who had already passed the age limit, to run in the 2021 elections. Bobi Wine said he personally reminded Kadaga, whom he calls his “aunt,” that she had the power to change Uganda’s political future. He stated, “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 ensure Museveni remained president.
Kadaga herself has admitted on television that Museveni might not have survived politically without her role in lifting the age limit. She argued that her loyalty justified her bid for another term as Speaker. Despite this, the ruling party sidelined her. In May 2021, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) refused to endorse her and supported her deputy, the late Jacob Oulanyah, who eventually won. Kadaga then ran as an independent candidate but lost.
Her political setbacks continued in 2025, when the NRM again backed her rival, Anita Among, for the influential post of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female). Kadaga accused Museveni of failing to reward her loyalty and said she was “publicly humiliated” after losing her Speaker role. Many Ugandans on social media have criticized her, reminding her that she once supported a government that has ruled the country for nearly four decades.
With another presidential election coming, it is unclear whether Museveni will retain Kadaga in his Cabinet or drop her entirely. What remains clear is that Kadaga’s choices in 2017 shaped Uganda’s political path and changed her relationship with Museveni and the ruling party forever.
