Deputy speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah attended the opening of the retreat for new NRM MPs at the National Leadership Institute (Nali), Kyankwanzi, but fellow speaker race contestant and Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Rebecca Kadaga was absent.
Although National Resistance Movement (NRM) director of Communication Emmanuel Dombo had recently announced Kadaga and Oulanyah wouldn’t be allowed at the retreat, the deputy speaker was in attendance as National chairman and president Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni delivered his opening remarks.
Donning a face mask and military fatigue, Oulanyah had managed to attend unnoticed by many MPs.
But party Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba introduced Oulanyah to participants at the retreat.
The mention of Jacob Oulanyah’s name was greeted with cheers from the audience.
Kadaga, his opponent, was absent from the opening event.
It now looks clear that despite Dombo’s statement on Kadaga and Oulanyah being barred from the retreat, all CEC members were expected to attend.
Both Kadaga and Oulanyah are NRM CEC members.
