Veteran politician and First Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, appears to have distanced herself from one of her long-time political associates, State Minister Persis Namuganza, following a series of crushing defeats suffered by their allies in the just-concluded NRM party primaries.

According to Daily News Uganda, nearly all key figures affiliated with Kadaga’s political network failed to secure the party’s endorsement. For many observers, this marks a significant blow to a once-formidable political bloc that has long operated under Kadaga’s patronage, particularly within the Busoga sub-region.

The defeat of Minister Namuganza, herself once seen as a rising force in the NRM and Busoga politics—has sparked widespread speculation about a breakdown in the alliance between the two leaders. Despite her recent public endorsement of Kadaga as “Mama Busoga” during a regional reconciliation tour, Namuganza now finds herself politically isolated, with little indication of support from her once powerful mentor.

Political analysts suggest Kadaga’s stance reflects her calculated and often transactional approach to leadership supportive when strategically beneficial but quick to retreat when alliances no longer serve her political interests.

While the primaries have redrawn regional political lines, what stands out most is the apparent unwillingness of Kadaga to intervene or lend weight to her allies’ campaigns. The absence of overt backing or mobilization from Kadaga’s camp left Namuganza’s faction vulnerable, ultimately leading to their sweeping defeat.

Adding to the shifting dynamics, Kadaga’s traditional support base in Busoga and beyond is reportedly moving toward her long-time rival, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who has gained significant traction as she vies for the NRM’s 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) position. Among’s growing influence signals a possible generational and strategic shift in the party’s internal power structures,one that could leave Kadaga increasingly isolated within the party hierarchy.

The outcome of the primaries may not just reshape individual political fortunes but also reframe the future of Busoga’s influence within the broader NRM leadership.