Soroti, Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) against running as independent candidates after losing party primaries, warning that such actions could weaken the party and hand victories to the opposition.
Speaking during a radio talk show at Soroti State Lodge while on his campaign trail in the Teso sub-region, President Museveni stressed the political risks of undermining the NRM from within.
“If you are candidates of the NRM, the one who is an independent and he’s a flag bearer and he’s an opposition person, are you not contributing to the NRM losing that constituency?” Museveni asked. “If you do that, remember you will be condemned forever politically. We shall know that you’re the one who caused us to lose because this is what happened in some areas in Uganda. We lost seats because of that.”
The President cited previous instances, including in Kasese, where party members running independently contributed to the loss of key constituencies. “Even Kasese, when Dr. Kiyonga and another one lost the constituency, it was because of that. Politically, it is very damaging for you to be involved in causing NRM to lose that constituency,” he added.
Museveni’s remarks come at a time when several disgruntled NRM candidates, dissatisfied with the outcomes of the July primaries, have expressed interest in contesting as independents. Some of these candidates argue the primaries were unfair, while others hope to try their luck outside the party framework.
The President’s message explains the importance he places on party unity ahead of the upcoming elections, emphasizing that internal divisions could create openings for opposition victories in critical areas .
