By Abubakar Bin Siraji
MBALE DISTRICT
The political feuding between Bungokho Central County MP and Mbale district NRM Chairman has got Party Cadres worried.
The political bickering between MP Richard Wanda and Mahmood Masaba started in 2023 after the latter declared his intentions to oust MP Wanda from the Bungokho Central County Constituency.
The bickering is so intense that the two do not agree to speak in the same burial ceremony. For instance, in a burial where MP Wanda has an upper hand, Masaba is not allowed to speak and the reverse is true.
The bitterness is understandable considering that it is the same Masaba who sponsored Wanda to oust former Minister Werikhe from the same constituency.
Consequently, a section of Mbale district NRM cadres have come out with a plan to mediate between the two principals saying the continuous bickering is weakening party support at the grassroots.
The NRM cadres who include Karim Muliro Wanga and Makawa Yakubu made remarks to this reporter during an interview on census exercise last week.
The two NRM cadres said the outstanding conflict and infighting between the two politicians is weakening the strength of NRM party and the local people are suffering in terms of service delivery.
“The conflict between the two leaders is overdue that we need to come in and intervene otherwise the opposition is taking advantage of our wrangles to gain strength and win elections in Bungokho central come 2026,” Muliro, the Mbale NRM cadre said. He added that the conflict between Wanda and Masaba has created cliques among the NRM supporters and other leaders in the constituency.
He added that without uniting and forgiving one another, the opposition will continue winning elections in the city. He said the challenge is that NRM supporters are busy fighting each other while the opposition is watching from aside and praying the fight continues.
“As NRM cadres in Mbale district, we suggested coming up with a lasting solution to have Wanda and Masaba reconciled and advised one of them to contest for the position Of Mbale City Mayor while the other can go for the constituency position.
Another NRM cadre whose identity is withheld lashed out at Masaba for running away from the City and going back to the district claiming to be near the President.
“Our biggest challenge is those leaders that come from nowhere and start undermining the party foot soldiers that are working tooth and nail so that party candidates win elections,” he said.
He noted that it’s everyone’s right to contest for any political position as long as he or she has the qualification but it is wrong for someone to continue using abusive language that undermines the integrity of other leaders.
