For three days, I covered the NRM delegates conference at Kololo as a reporter for Bbeg Media. So many things have been written about the conference on social media. Some of them are true, others are not. Here are my key observations:
Food was in abundance: I observed delegates enjoying an abundance of meals, with many opting for lighter options. Surprisingly, only bread was left on plates, a stark contrast to expectations, as delegates, including those who traveled long distances, seemed to overlook meat, bread, and rice—dishes typically favoured by those well-off. Delegates enjoyed the best services ever provided at such an event. Breakfast was ready by 8:00 AM, lunch by 2:00 PM, and supper was served at a leisurely pace—something quite unusual and appreciated. As a journalist, I found this refreshing and noteworthy.
Tight security: Security at the event was exceptional, a significant departure from past experiences. There was no harassment, and sufficient security personnel were deployed at Kololo, doing a tremendous job in maintaining peace and stability.
Money was flying: This conference stood out as the most commercialized NRM delegate elective conference to date. Clearly some candidates spent billions of shillings to secure votes. Some shrewd delegates must have made more than Shs 10 million from candidates. Some candidates had crisp 50K notes only. Capt. Mike Mukula claimed one candidate for a CEC position reportedly spent nearly Shs 10 billion in their pursuit, describing it as an unacceptable and unsustainable practice that could jeopardize the party if not addressed.
Another distinctive feature of this delegate conference was the intense campaigning by candidates seeking votes. Unlike previous conferences where candidates faced less pressure to campaign aggressively. This practice was concerning, as it suggests a lack of genuine leadership qualities. President Museveni addressed this issue during his speech, cautioning against such practices.
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