Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral chief, and former minister Joy Kabatsi were involved in a bitter exchange during a meeting convened to resolve an election petition involving candidates contesting for the party district chairperson position in Sembabule.
The election, held last Friday, was marred by disputes between two candidates, Maj Gen Katirima Phinehas and Anifa Kawooya, the Minister for Primary Health Care, due to alleged failures in following electoral processes.
It all started when Kabatsi attributed the political challenges in Ssembabule to President Museveni, the NRM party chairman, accusing him of failing to resolve them. She also directly criticized Lwemiyaga MP, Theodore Ssekikubo, for lacking party spirit.
Odoi, uncomfortable with Kabatsi’s remarks, requested that she withdraw her comments about the party chairman. Kabatsi declined and was subsequently condemned by Dr. Odoi for her statements, but she stood her ground. Later, Odoi tried to force Kabatsi to apologise, but to no avail.
The political wrangles in Ssembabule remain unresolved, and a new date for fresh elections for the district chairperson will be set once the issues are addressed.
