A section of senior leaders within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been reportedly sharply divided over an alleged plot to overturn the victory of Masaka District Woman MP-elect Joan Namutaawe, exposing deep cracks within the ruling party over how to handle the hotly contested race.
Highly placed sources within the ruling party have revealed that disagreement has emerged among NRM heavyweights over plans to challenge and potentially overturn the victory of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Joan Namutaawe in the January 16 polls.
Namutaawe defeated NRM’s Joanita Nalule by a slim margin of about 500 votes, polling 16,640 votes in what was widely described as one of the tightest races in Masaka District.
Sources privy to internal discussions say while some influential actors are pushing for an aggressive legal and political strategy to reclaim the seat through the courts, others within the party hierarchy are resisting what they describe as a “dangerous and image-damaging move.”
According to one insider who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, a series of consultative meetings have been held in Kampala to explore possible legal pathways once a petition is filed.
“There is pressure from certain quarters who believe the seat can still be recovered through legal and strategic manoeuvres,” the source said. “But not everyone agrees. Some senior leaders feel this could backfire badly.”
The internal friction is said to be partly informed by the controversy that followed the Masaka City Woman MP race, where NRM’s Justine Nameere successfully overturned an earlier outcome through court processes — a development that drew sharp criticism from opposition supporters and sections of the public.
Some party mobilisers reportedly fear that a similar move in Masaka District could further entrench perceptions that the ruling party uses its influence to alter electoral outcomes in opposition strongholds.
A senior NRM mobiliser from Greater Masaka told this publication that forcibly pursuing a court-based reversal without overwhelming evidence could undo recent grassroots gains.
“Masaka has been a tough ground for us politically. If people genuinely voted for the opposition, we must reflect and reorganise instead of appearing to fight the voters’ decision,” he said.
“If there is no clear, provable illegality, it becomes a reputational risk for the party.”
Divisions Within the Party Ranks
While disgruntled NRM supporters in Masaka District have publicly insisted that their candidate, Joanita Nalule, was the rightful winner, sections of the party leadership are said to be counselling caution.
Some leaders argue that any petition must be based strictly on verifiable electoral irregularities rather than political pressure. “There are voices saying we should strengthen our structures and prepare better next time,” another insider said. “But there are others who believe losing by 500 votes is too close to let go.”
At the time of filing this story, there was no publicly confirmed petition filed before the High Court challenging Namutaawe’s victory.
Efforts to obtain comment from Joanita Nalule were unsuccessful. Masaka District Woman MP-elect Joan Namutaawe had also not responded to calls by press time.
The NRM Secretariat and senior party officials contacted for comment said they were not aware of any coordinated plan to influence court processes and maintained that the party respects the rule of law.
