By Spy Uganda Investigations Team
A simmering political rivalry in Busoga has erupted into an extraordinary war of words between First Deputy Prime Minister and minister in charge of East African Affairs, who is also former speaker of parliament, Rt. Hon.Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, with startling allegations surfacing in a written dossier attributed to Kadaga’s response to claims that she has been fighting Babalanda. 
In the document seen by our ever alert Spy in the corridors of power, now circulating within political and media circles, Kadaga is quoted describing how she allegedly influenced Babalanda’s entry into government structures by recommending her for appointment as a Resident District Commissioner (RDC), despite purported academic shortcomings.
According to the contents of the dossier, Kadaga allegedly stated that she deliberately sought to front a woman for RDC appointment in Kamuli after realizing she had previously been recommending mostly men. She claims that after failing to find a suitably qualified woman, she “landed on Babalanda,” who allegedly lacked both Senior four and Senior six qualifications.
The document further quotes Kadaga alleging that she “forged a recommendation and told people to touch up some papers” to ensure that Babalanda could be appointed deputy RDC — a claim that, if verified, raises serious questions about the integrity of public service appointment procedures.
Kadaga is also quoted questioning Babalanda’s capacity to independently run her current ministry, alleging that key intellectual and speech responsibilities are handled by others on her behalf.
“These are claims contained in the dossier and have not been independently verified,” political observers caution, noting the gravity of the allegations and their potential legal and administrative implications.
Neither Kadaga nor Babalanda had publicly responded to the circulating document by press time.
The Source Of The Fight
The fallout between the two leaders did not begin overnight. Insiders within Busoga’s political establishment trace the rift to a long-standing struggle for influence over the sub-region’s political direction, patronage networks, and access to State House.
Babalanda’s meteoric rise from RDC ranks to Minister for the Presidency is widely viewed as having altered power dynamics in Busoga, a region long regarded as Kadaga’s political stronghold.
Sources say Babalanda’s proximity to President Museveni and her control of RDCs — the very structure Kadaga claims to have helped her enter — has shifted loyalty patterns among local leaders, with some reportedly gravitating towards Babalanda’s camp.
This has allegedly created an unspoken but growing contest for relevance, influence, and authority within Busoga politics.
Rebecca Kadaga: The Veteran Power Broker
Rebecca Kadaga is one of Uganda’s longest-serving and most influential female politicians. She served as Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2021 and remains First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs.
For over a decade, Kadaga commanded enormous political capital both nationally and within Busoga, positioning herself as the region’s chief political patron and defender of its interests at the center.
Her tenure as Speaker was marked by assertiveness, independence from the Executive at times, and an expansive network of protégés across government structures.
Many of Busoga’s current leaders are said to have risen through structures she influenced.
Milly Babalanda: The Rapid Riser From RDC To Cabinet
Milly Babalanda’s ascent through Uganda’s political ranks has been swift and unconventional. From serving in RDC positions, she was elevated to Minister for the Presidency — a powerful docket overseeing RDCs and key State House coordination roles.
Her rise is often associated with close confidence from President Museveni, and her control over RDC deployments has given her significant administrative leverage across the country.
Within Busoga, her growing stature has increasingly been interpreted as challenging Kadaga’s historical dominance.
Political Observers Weigh In
Analysts say the allegations, if authentic, expose not just a personal feud but deeper tensions about patronage politics, loyalty, and the informal pathways through which many public officials rise through the ranks.
“This is more than a personal disagreement. It reveals how political sponsorship, loyalty, and proximity to power shape careers,” one political analyst noted.
What Happens Next?
If the dossier’s claims gain traction, they could attract scrutiny from oversight bodies regarding appointment procedures and academic verification for public officials.
At the same time, the political battle between the two women is likely to intensify as Busoga edges closer to another electoral cycle, where questions of allegiance, influence, and legacy will be central.
For now, what is certain is that Busoga’s two most powerful female figures are no longer engaging in quiet rivalry — the confrontation is now public, personal, and politically explosive.
