KAMPALA – Mr John Patrick Amama Mbabazi’s return to the ruling NRM party is a foregone conclusion, sources have said.
Mr Mbabazi, who was prime minister until 2014, was fired by President Museveni after expressing interest in the top seat following the Kyakwanzi resolution that agreed to remove term limits.
And now sources have said that Mr Mbabazi, who in 2016 stood for president under his Go Forward party but lost, is on the way back to Cabinet following high-level discussions involving Mr Museveni and senior NRM historicals, including current Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
“Various talks have taken place between the two principals. It is as if the two have made up. It is no longer a matter of if but when Mbabazi takes his place in Cabinet,” a source closely connected to inner political circles said at the weekend.
Mbabazi’s family members, especially his daughters, are said to have played a key role in the former premier’s decision to return to Cabinet.
Early this month, one of Mbabazi’s daughters, Racheal Ciconco, was appointed the board chairperson of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation on the recommendation of President Museveni. Another of Mbabazi’s former right-hand men, Capt Emmy Katabazi, who had in 2015 been presented before the Court Martial and charged with absconding from duty, has since returned to the army. He is now the Director of Information at the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).
“His daughters are mounting pressure on Mbabazi to return, saying Museveni is like their other father,” the source added.
It should be remembered that when Mbabazi’s wife Jackline was diagnosed with cancer, the President is said to have reached out to the family, through the daughters and contributed over Shs400m towards the medical bills
