By Our Reporter
NATIONAL/POLITICS
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week officially welcomed Bugweri Member of Parliament Abdu Katuntu and Bardege-Layibi Division MP, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi into the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus.
The announcement came during a meeting at State House Entebbe last Friday, where NRM Members of Parliament gathered to discuss the rationalization of government agencies. These agencies had not been wound up during the consideration of the Rationalization Bill by MPs.
According to sources present at the meeting, Museveni introduced Katuntu, stating that the once “poisonous mushroom” had now seen the light of the NRM and was joining them. In 2005, Museveni referred to Katuntu as a “poisonous mushroom” and advised the people of Bugweri to steer clear of him.
Now, Museveni emphasized that Katuntu had “seen the light” and was joining the NRM fold. Speaking the next day on Capital Radio’s “Capital Gang,” a weekly political program, Lydia Wanyoto, chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, congratulated Katuntu for his decision to join the NRM caucus.
“I would like to join the NRM fraternity and my chairman in welcoming Katuntu to the NRM caucus, as well as Hon Ojara Mapenduzi. They are welcome. Every effort and value addition to our country and the leadership of our party is appreciated,” Wanyoto stated.
A source, who requested anonymity to speak freely, hinted at a potential mini-ministerial reshuffle soon, suggesting that Katuntu could be appointed as a minister. Currently, Katuntu serves in parliament as the chairperson of the Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee and is also a representative of Uganda in the Pan African Parliament.
FROM BEING A “POISONOUS MUSHROOM” TO JOINING THE NRM
In the 2001 general elections, Katuntu faced a fiercely contested and violent battle for the Bugweri member of parliament seat against Ali Kirunda Kivejinja. Katuntu, then a member of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), challenged the election results in court.
The court ultimately nullified Kivejinja’s victory, partly due to the violence that marred the election. In the subsequent by-election, Katuntu emerged victorious, defeating Kivejinja and securing the position of Bugweri MP – a seat he has now held for five consecutive terms.
Katuntu’s victory caught the attention of President Yoweri Museveni, who, while addressing a rally in Busesa, delivered a sharp rebuke. Museveni famously described Katuntu as a “poisonous mushroom,” implying that he had no value and only obstructed government programs.
How could you send entyabire to Parliament to represent you? You used your votes wrongly because your MP is antidevelopment,” Museveni was quoted as saying by New Vision.
Comparing Katuntu to a poisonous mushroom, Museveni suggested that Katuntu was of no use and urged the people of Bugweri to reject him. Following this, Katuntu became one of Museveni’s harshest critics. In 2005, he joined other opposition figures to establish the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), where he remained an active member until 2021.
Katuntu was a key figure in the FDC, particularly aligned with the faction led by Gen Mugisha Muntu. Katuntu was instrumental in encouraging Muntu to form his political party, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). Close associates of Muntu revealed that Katuntu had promised to join the new party when legally permitted in 2020.
However, in a surprising move, Katuntu chose to run as an independent candidate in 2021, despite ANT also fielding journalist Sulaiman Kakaire for the Bugweri seat. Though Katuntu ran as an independent, many observers noted his growing alignment with the NRM.
Katuntu had even publicly stated that he did not plan to run again, adding to the surprise of his eventual candidacy. His political leanings became more evident when, during an episode of Capital Gang, government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo—who has known Katuntu for over 30 years—expressed confidence that Katuntu had voted for Museveni, the NRM candidate, in the 2021 election.
Katuntu’s political journey, from being labeled a “poisonous mushroom” to aligning with the NRM, highlights the complex shifts in Uganda’s political landscape and the evolving relationships between prominent political figures.
Another close confidant of Katuntu, speaking anonymously to protect their relationship, revealed that Katuntu had initially declared he would not run for re-election because he had been promised the position of Chief Justice after the retirement of Bart Katureebe.
However, in 2020, President Museveni appointed Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, then deputy chief justice, to the position instead. Feeling betrayed, Katuntu still hoped for a Supreme court judge appointment, but this also did not materialize. In late 2020, Katuntu reversed his decision and ran for re-election in Bugweri, this time with the expectation that he would be appointed a minister.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Katuntu spent significant sums of money to secure his victory in the 2021 elections.
“In 2016, Katuntu stole that election, but in 2021, he bought it,” one insider remarked.
After his win, rumours circulated that Katuntu would be appointed attorney general, a position he was openly aspiring to. Interviewed for a comment, he said, “Tell me which lawyer wouldn’t want to become the attorney general?”
This time round Katuntu couldn’t be reached for comment. However, that position was given to Museveni’s longtime lawyer, Kiryowa Kiwanuka. Despite this, Museveni left the position of minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs vacant for over a year, with some speculating that it had been intended for Katuntu.
“That position was for Katuntu, but there were things they needed to agree on with Museveni,” the source explained.
Katuntu’s political aspirations were further complicated by the deaths of two key figures from the Acholi sub-region: speaker of parliament Jacob Oulanyah and Deputy Inspector General of Police Paul L’Okech.
Their passing left a leadership void in a region where Museveni had made significant political gains in recent years. In response, Museveni turned to Norbert Mao, a longtime politician from Acholi who had been rumoured to have connections with Museveni, filling the role Katuntu had hoped for.
“He was livid; he felt betrayed that after all his efforts, the only position he secured within the NRM was as chairperson of a parliamentary committee,” the source added.
With Katuntu now officially introduced as a member of the NRM caucus, observers are waiting to see whether the anticipated ministerial reshuffle will finally lead to his appointment. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, another figure recently introduced to the NRM caucus, also exemplifies Museveni’s political strategies in the larger northern region.
Mapenduzi surprised many when he spearheaded the motion to remove Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake from his position as a parliamentary commissioner. Zaake had been accused of insulting speaker Anita Among on social media.
At the time, Mapenduzi was chairperson of the Local Government Accounts Committee, a position he had been appointed to by the National Unity Platform (NUP). When NUP dropped him, the NRM appointed him chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government.
Mapenduzi’s alignment with the NRM did not shock those familiar with Acholi politics. Like Katuntu, Mapenduzi had long been affiliated with the camp of Gen Mugisha Muntu within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) before transitioning to the NRM.
His trajectory mirrors the broader political realignments happening in northern Uganda as Musev- eni continues to consolidate support in the region.
-observer
