Tycoon Karangwa Withdraws CEC Petition, Paving Way for Kasolo’s Buganda NRM Leadership

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been through weeks of drama after businessman Moses Karangwa refused to accept defeat in the race for Buganda’s Vice Chairperson seat. His loss to State Minister Haruna Kasolo sparked off a storm inside the party, which led  into violence, police cases, and even drew the party chairman’s attention.

The conflict reached an ugly point when musician and Kasolo supporter Jennifer Nakangubi, better known as Full Figure, was lured to the NRM offices on Kyadondo Road for what she thought was a reconciliation meeting. Instead, she was beaten, left bruised, and later appeared in shocking photos that spread quickly online. She accused Justine Namere, Karangwa’s campaign spokesperson, and Namere’s husband of attacking her and stealing her phone and half a million shillings.

This violence embarrassed the party and gave hope to NRM election losers who wanted to take advantage of Karangwa’s bitterness. They believed he could fund their campaigns against Kasolo’s allies, keeping the chaos alive in Buganda. Karangwa himself openly criticised senior cadres such as Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa, which worried many in the party.

But on Saturday evening, the storm seemed to calm. Standing before Hii5 Radio reporters at the NRM offices, Karangwa announced that he was dropping his petition challenging Kasolo’s victory. Karangwa admitted he had failed to present convincing evidence and had no choice but to step aside. His decision ended weeks of tension, though his body language showed he was still hurting from the loss.

Minister Kasolo, with his lawyer Mukasa Mbidde by his side, welcomed the decision and praised Karangwa for letting go of the fight and promised to now focus on mobilising Buganda to deliver votes for President Museveni and NRM candidates in the 2026 elections. “This is an endorsement for my leadership,” Kasolo said with a smile, adding that he was ready to work even harder.

Lawyer Mbidde also weighed in, saying Karangwa’s petition was doomed from the beginning since it lacked evidence. “It was incurably defective,” he said, commending Karangwa for finally accepting reality.