The MK Movement, a volunteer organisation mobilising support for Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s anticipated 2026 presidential bid, has postponed a public event planned for this Friday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Mitooma district, western Uganda.
“The MK Movement wishes to inform all our supporters in Mitooma that, in consultation with our Guest of Honour, the Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the MK Movement Baraza, which was slated for tomorrow, January 12, 2024, has been rescheduled,” said the Movement’s spokesperson, David Kabanda.
“Another date and venue will be communicated,” said Kabanda, adding, “To our supporters and well-wishers, we want to thank you for your love and support.”
This website has learned that the organisers of the event faced stiff resistance from the area kingmaker, Internal Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire.
A powerful close associate of the president has publicly expressed his opposition to Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions.
Otafiire’s supporters, including an NRM youth group in Mitooma, earlier this week held a press conference, denouncing plans to hold a Baraza in the area.
The minister’s supporters said the Baraza would not add value to their district.
“We will not allow Mitooma District to be used by self-seekers in MK camp. Mitooma is not a market to be used by the MK group,” said Bob Abemigisha, an NRM youth supporter in the area.
Museveni intervention
It is understood that the MK Movement’s leaders appealed to President Museveni to intervene in the situation.
“We would like to inform all our supporters in Mitooma that the MK Movement Baraza, which is slated for tomorrow, January 12, 2024, was cleared by the President, and no one will stop it,” said Kabanda on Thursday morning.
“Ignore the sponsored propaganda on Kahinda Otafiire’s radio, which is promoting genocide and anarchy.”
The decision to postpone the event was premised on the need to avoid a confrontation between supporters of Kahinda and Muhoozi, according to informed officials.
In his capacity as Internal Affairs Minister, Otafiire supervises the police.
Gen. Muhoozi has been holding Barazas in different parts of the country.
His office said the barazas allow Muhoozi to listen to people’s challenges and find solutions to them.
In northern Uganda, Muhoozi attended a baraza where families complained of repetitive attacks by cattle rustlers. Muhoozi responded by ordering more deployments of security personnel in the area.
Otafiire, 73, belongs to the core of the old NRA guard that brought President Museveni to power by force of arms in 1986.
Insiders say this group fears the rise of Gen. Muhoozi, as he would clip their wings by relieving them of their positions in a government restructuring exercise.
Last year, Gen Salim Saleh tried to reconcile Gen Muhoozi and Otafiire, but in vain. Otafiire has continued to criticise Muhoozi in public.
