The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has launched a blistering attack on the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, accusing her of orchestrating electoral violence and malpractice in Buyende District.
Speaking during a radio talk show aired across major stations in the Busoga sub-region, Kadaga expressed sympathy with residents of Budiope West, where Milly Babalanda stood for Member of Parliament and controversially won, alleging that the recent electoral process was marred by intimidation, violence, and abuse of power.
“I empathize with my people in Budiope because the things that happened to them during the election period, right from the NRM primaries, have never happened,” Kadaga said. “We used to vote peacefully and with love. You voted whoever you wanted and returned home.”
Kadaga alleged that Babalanda imported individuals, including Kampala-based famed kick boxer Moses Golola, to intimidate voters during the NRM primaries. It is alleged that Golola, in the company of tens of kanyamas, terrorized voters in Budiope West. At a recent press conference, Babalanda denied ever hiring these macho men.
“I was told Golola was beating up people. What was he doing in Buyende? He doesn’t vote there,” Kadaga charged. “After that, vote tallying was done at her home instead of the district headquarters.”
The Kamuli District Woman MP further alleged that the violence escalated during the general elections, claiming that firearms were used and voters were assaulted. She called for investigations into reports of beatings and killings in the district.
“During the general elections, she did worse. On beating people, she added guns and shooting people. I have been getting the news,” Kadaga said. “On the issue of beating up and killing people in Buyende, it needs to be investigated so that people get justice,” Kadaga said. “How do you go and beat a candidate because you want votes?”
Kadaga warned against what she described as growing impunity and abuse of power, suggesting that some leaders become overwhelmed after attaining high office. Kadaga urged Babalanda to “calm down,” cautioning against escalating political conflicts.
“When someone reaches a level they didn’t expect to reach, they run mad,” she remarked, in an apparent reference to Babalanda. “The wars you are starting, you won’t manage them,” Kadaga said in a message directed to Milly Babalanda.
She questioned Babalanda’s leadership capacity, alleging that ministry operations are handled by other officials and claiming that speeches delivered by the minister are prepared by aides.
“That person [Milly Babalanda], even the speeches, people write for her and she reads word for word. When you ask a question from the speech, she cannot respond.” “Someone in the ministry helps her to do research and write speeches. The person who runs the ministry is Farouk, not Milly.
Kadaga criticized Babalanda’s leadership style and questioned her performance in office, alleging that key decisions within the ministry are influenced by other officials.
“I want to know what she has done for the people of Busoga,” Kadaga said, urging a transparent assessment of development impact in the sub-region. “These are things I never mention, but since she has tickled me, I will speak out,” Kadaga said.
In a deeply personal revelation, Kadaga claimed she played a role in Babalanda’s early political career, recommending her for appointment as deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Busia despite lacking formal academic qualifications at the time.
She explained that she had previously forwarded mostly male names for RDC appointments but later sought to promote women from Kamuli. She said she wrote to the President recommending Babalanda for consideration. “That is how I thought of Babalanda. She didn’t have senior six, senior four or any certificate.”
“I wrote a recommendation to the President asking him to consider and appoint her. That is how Babalanda became deputy RDC,” Kadaga stated. “I am surprised that the person I picked from my village is the one attacking me,” she remarked.
The senior NRM leader also accused Babalanda of blackmailing fellow leaders and failing to deliver tangible development for the Busoga sub-region during her tenure as Minister for the Presidency.
“I want to know what she has done for the people of Busoga in the five years she has been in that ministry—just one thing, if it exists,” Kadaga said.
Despite expressing concern over public anger in Buyende, Kadaga commended voters for participating in the elections and urged calm, while warning that unresolved grievances could fuel further conflict.
“If there are not people pushing our people, there would be no problem to reconcile,” she noted.
Kadaga’s remarks underscore escalating tensions within the ruling party in Busoga, particularly in the aftermath of a hotly contested election season.
Her call for investigations, reconciliation and accountability is likely to fuel further political debate in the sub-region, as leaders grapple with questions of electoral conduct, governance and party unity.
Kadaga concluded by calling for a comprehensive post-election evaluation once the new government is formed, emphasizing the need to restore trust and ensure accountability.
