Negotiations within the NRM regarding the official flag bearer, Adong Jenneth, facing opposition from party members in the Dokolo District Woman MP By-election, are far from over, as most of them have vowed never to step down in favor of the flag bearer.
In her address to the NRM members gathered at the parish hall on Saturday, Rosemary Seninde, in charge of mobilization at the NRM secretariat, revealed that only two aspirants agreed to step down to support the flag bearer out of six candidates. Four of them have chosen to run as independents.
Speaking exclusively to the media, Rosemary Seninde made it clear to NRM supporters in Dokolo that she believes the other candidates should not fight each other but support the party’s policies, adding that decisions are always made by the NRM caucus before they reach Parliament.
She appealed to the independent aspirants, stating that the general election in 2026 is months away, and in case NRM does not succeed, she hoped they might not be the cause of any adverse outcomes. “NRM does not buy anyone out of elections. I sympathize with whoever thinks they might be offered money or a job,” narrated Seninde.
She concluded that NRM expects whoever wants to run independently not to claim association with NRM, as the party does not endorse such positions. She added that they will not force them out but will continue engaging with them before nominations.
“Where there are many members in a family, conflicts like these are inevitable, just like in NRM. Therefore, we must all rally behind the flag bearer,” added Rosemary.
The four who have refused to step down, citing weaknesses in the flag bearer, are Dr. Lalam Grace Annah Atine, Irene Amongi Ajwika, Rebecca Arao, and Beatrice Molly Abang, the Dokolo NRM chairperson.
Currently, there are 11 aspirants on different tickets vying for election in the position of Woman MP in the Dokolo District By-election. They include Dr. Lalam Grace Annah Atine and Irene Amongi Ajwika running as independents, Sarah Aguti Nyangkori (UPC), Dr. Rosemary Alwoch Ogwal (FDC), Adongo Jenneth (NRM), Harriet Ageno Nenidiro (NUP), Eunice Ayugi, Christine Aceng, and Abang Beatrice Molly running independently, among others.
Rosemary emphasized the importance of supporting the flag bearer.
