01/11/2025
Muloni Dismisses Claims of Being Fired from NRM, Reaffirms Loyalty to Museveni
The Woman Member of Parliament for Bulambuli District, Eng. Irene Nafuna Muloni, has dismissed allegations circulating in the district that she has been fired from the ruling NRM party and replaced as the District NRM Secretary for Finance following her nomination to contest for MP Elgon North Constituency as an independent candidate against the party flag bearer.
The former Minister of Energy and Mineral Development made the remarks on Saturday while appearing on political talk shows on Elgon FM and Open Gate Radio in Mbale City.
She urged the public to ignore information spreading on social media and in the constituency, saying it does not represent the official position of the party.
Muloni explained that the NRM District Chairman, Paul Kimamati, had misinterpreted a letter from the party’s Secretary General, which only advised some leaders to step aside but did not dismiss them from the party.
She reaffirmed her commitment to the NRM and pledged to continue mobilizing support for President Yoweri Museveni as well as for her own candidacy.
Muloni said, the NRM primaries for Bulambuli Woman MP were marred by irregularities, which prompted her not to contest as an independent at that time. However, after consultations, her supporters persuaded her to return and run for a directly elected position to "rescue her people" by contesting against the incumbent Gerald Nangoli, the NRM flag bearer in Elgon North.
When asked why she chose to contest for a seat traditionally held by men, Muloni said there is no law preventing women from competing in such positions.
She noted that President Museveni has appointed many women to top positions, and they have performed exceptionally well.
Muloni highlighted her development record, mentioning that she had already delivered an ambulance to her constituency even before returning to Parliament and promised to deliver more services.
She pledged to advocate for better infrastructure, education, and healthcare, including the upgrade of Buginyanya Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and the establishment of more seed secondary schools.
She also appealed to the government to support victims of landslides in Bulambuli, saying those who were promised Shs10 million each should be helped to rebuild their lives.
Muloni further pledged to mobilize massive support for President Museveni’s campaign when he visits Bulambuli, promising to provide transport means including boda bodas, vehicles, and tractors to ensure a big turnout.
During the same radio programs, several other leaders expressed support for her. Wilson Watira, an independent candidate for MP Bushigai County in Bududa District, praised Muloni’s leadership, saying that during her tenure as Energy Minister, Bugisu region had strong leaders.
John Musira, the Rastafarian MP for Bubulo East in Namisindwa District, condemned the actions of the Bulambuli NRM leadership against Muloni.
He said being an independent does not mean being anti-NRM, citing several leaders such as Florence Nambozo, the Woman MP for Sironko and State Minister for Karamoja, the Vice President of Uganda, among others who were elected as independents but continue to serve in government.
Richard Wanda, MP for Bungokho Central in Mbale District, also defended independents, saying what matters is service delivery. “The things we lobby from government take long to come, so we brought the ambulance and many other things will follow slowly. Please vote for me, I am still a member of NRM,” Wanda said.
Rachel Martha Nabulo, the Bududa District LCV Vice Chairperson and independent candidate for Lutseshe Constituency, said her manifesto focuses on improving education, health, and road infrastructure.
“Lutseshe Constituency has 13 sub-counties but only three have seed secondary schools. If elected, I will ensure every sub-county has one and support every child to stay in school,” she pledged.
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