COUSA president Salongo Kibombo at NRM NEC. Photo by NEC
Johannesburg – Members of COUSA (Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa) were left in shock after waking up to the news that their leaders had taken part in the NRM Delegates’ Conference in Uganda, in the name of their organization, a meeting meant strictly for NRM NEC members. Many questioned under what circumstances COUSA leaders were allowed to participate in a conference where NRM CEC (Central Executive Committee) members were elected.
Seeking clarification, one member who is currently in Uganda on personal business but preferred anonymity, revealed to The Pearl of Africa News that COUSA leaders had rebranded the organization as the NRM South Africa Chapter. According to the NRM constitution, this automatically made them members of NRM’s NEC as NRM constitution stipulates that all chapter executive members become NRM NEC members.
Members of COUSA (Confederation of Ugandans in Southern Africa) were left in shock after waking up to the news that their leaders had taken part in the NRM Delegates’ Conference in Uganda, in the name of their organization, a meeting meant strictly for NRM NEC members. Many questioned under what circumstances COUSA leaders were allowed to participate in a conference where NRM CEC (Central Executive Committee) members were elected.
Seeking clarification, one member who is currently in Uganda on personal business but preferred anonymity, revealed to The Pearl of Africa News that COUSA leaders had rebranded the organization as the NRM South Africa Chapter. According to the NRM constitution, this automatically made them members of NRM’s NEC as NRM constitution stipulates that all chapter executive members become NRM NEC members. Therefore, the question under what circumstances COUSA leaders participated in NRM delegates conference is being answered.
This revelation shocked many because, at the beginning, members were never told about any political affiliation. When persuaded to join COUSA, they were informed that it was a non-governmental organization (NGO) established to unite Ugandan communities in South Africa, with board members drawn from chairpersons of various Ugandan community groups without links to any political party.
The allegation that COUSA has rebranded to NRM South Africa Chapter is further supported by Minister Balam, who told journalists upon his return to Uganda that he had attended an NRM convention in South Africa on behalf of Mr. Museveni, the NRM chairman.
One prominent COUSA member, Mr. Wamala Raymond, who also serves as the board secretary, told our reporter that he indeed saw the COUSA president at the NRM Delegates’ Conference. However, he could not confirm under what circumstances the president had participated. He stated
“As COUSA, we did not approve our president’s participation in the NRM Delegates’ Conference. If it is true that he attended as COUSA president, then it is wrong, because COUSA is a non-part i san organization. Its formation and ideology were never aligned to any political party in Uganda. I was equally shocked when Minister Balam said he was in South Africa for an NRM convention. On that matter, I asked the ambassador and COUSA president to clarify Balam’s statement. If he was wrong, it is incumbent upon them to correct it. We do not want COUSA to appear as if we were lured into a partisan entity affiliated with the ruling party. For some of us, being associated with NRM is considered an abomination in our families, and we can even be disowned.”
Mr. Wamala added that he is still waiting for clarification from the ambassador and COUSA president. However, by the time of going to print, he had not received feedback despite a promise to respond within 72 hours.
Another senior community member, who also preferred anonymity, condemned the actions of COUSA leaders and warned Ugandans to be cautious when dealing with individuals he described as “treasure hunters.” He said
“The chicken has come home to roost. We have always told you that COUSA is an extension of NRM in South Africa, but people refused to listen. Now the truth is out. When Museveni’s minister openly said he represented him at the last COUSA convention, everyone with a sound mind should have raised their antennae. I don’t blame those who were lured into NRM unknowingly, but now that it is clear COUSA is an NRM Chapter in South Africa, the choice is theirs. The line between COUSA and NRM is very thin.”
The Pearl of Africa News also made efforts to contact Dr. Echuni, a senior executive member of COUSA, but all his known phone numbers went unanswered, and he did not return calls.
Many COUSA members who spoke to our reporters strongly criticized their leaders’ actions, describing them as a betrayal.
