The Secret Political Moves That Saw Kahinda Otafiire Lose Favor in Museveni’s Inner Circle

General Kahinda Otafiire, once a strong figure in Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM), has faced a significant fall from grace in President Museveni’s trusted group of leaders. This decline is tied to events and actions that created distance between him and the NRM leadership.

Otafiire’s career has been full of controversies that hurt his reputation. In 1988, he had to resign from his ministerial role after pulling a gun on Jennifer Kutesa, the wife of his colleague, Sam Kutesa. This act embarrassed the government at a time when it was working to build a disciplined image.

There were also claims of Otafiire’s involvement in resource exploitation during Uganda’s military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A UN report named him as one of the officials benefiting from Congo’s natural resources, which damaged both his integrity and that of the government.

In 2016, Otafiire suffered a major political setback when he lost his parliamentary seat. Despite representing Ruhinda County since 1996, he was defeated by Capt. Donozio Kahonda, an unexpected rival. This loss signaled a decline in his popularity and raised questions about his influence among voters.

Within the NRM, Otafiire’s bold remarks about corruption and party leadership caused friction. He once said the party had changed from "liberators" to "thieves," which upset many leaders and created mistrust. This outspokenness led to his gradual removal from Museveni’s inner circle, as it was seen as a challenge to the party’s unity.

Public opinion on Otafiire’s performance as a leader also contributed to his struggles. In 2007, he was ranked the worst-performing minister in a national survey. People criticized his decisions, such as the handling of Kampala’s markets, and viewed him as disconnected from ordinary citizens.

These incidents and perceptions combined to push Otafiire out of Museveni’s close circle. Once a trusted ally, his controversies, political losses, and strained relationships have left him sidelined within the party.