(Entebbe) – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially welcomed Abdu Katuntu, the Member of Parliament for Bugweri, and Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, MP for Bardege-Layibi Division, into the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus last week. This announcement was made during a meeting at State House Entebbe on Friday, where NRM members gathered to discuss the rationalization of government agencies that had not been addressed during the Rationalization Bill consideration.
Sources present at the meeting reported that Museveni introduced Katuntu with a notable remark, referring to him as having been a “poisonous mushroom” in the past. In 2005, Museveni had labeled Katuntu as such and advised the public to avoid him. However, the President now praised Katuntu for having “seen the light” and joining the NRM. On the following day, Lydia Wanyoto, chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, publicly welcomed Katuntu and Mapenduzi to the NRM caucus, expressing appreciation for their decision to join the party.
Speculation has emerged about a possible mini-ministerial reshuffle, with suggestions that Katuntu might be appointed to a ministerial position. Currently, Katuntu serves as the chairperson of the Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee in Parliament and represents Uganda in the Pan African Parliament.
Katuntu’s political journey has been notably tumultuous. During the 2001 general elections, he engaged in a fiercely contested and violent battle for the Bugweri seat against Ali Kirunda Kivejinja. Although Katuntu initially contested the election results in court, which led to the nullification of Kivejinja’s victory, he eventually won the seat in a subsequent by-election. This victory earned him attention from Museveni, who had previously criticized him harshly.
Katuntu’s criticism of Museveni intensified over the years. In 2005, Katuntu, along with other opposition figures, helped establish the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and later supported the formation of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) led by Gen Mugisha Muntu. Despite publicly expressing intentions not to run for office again, Katuntu’s decision to stand as an independent candidate in the 2021 elections was unexpected. His alignment with the NRM became more evident, and he was perceived as a potential candidate for a ministerial role.
Despite speculation, Katuntu was not appointed Attorney General, a position he openly aspired to. Instead, President Museveni appointed Kiryowa Kiwanuka. Katuntu’s disappointment was compounded by the vacancies left by the deaths of two influential Acholi leaders, Jacob Oulanyah and Paul L’Okech. This leadership void led Museveni to appoint Norbert Mao, further affecting Katuntu’s political prospects.
Katuntu’s move to the NRM highlights the shifting dynamics in Uganda’s political landscape. The anticipation now surrounds whether this transition will lead to a ministerial appointment for him. Similarly, Mapenduzi’s alignment with the NRM reflects Museveni’s ongoing efforts to consolidate support in northern Uganda. Mapenduzi, who previously chaired the Local Government Accounts Committee for the National Unity Platform (NUP), now leads the Committee on Public Service and Local Government under the NRM banner.
