SOROTI CITY – Senior NRM stalwart Capt. Mike Mukula has vehemently refuted allegations of sabotaging the party, describing recent accusations as a calculated smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation and undermining his decades of service to the National Resistance Movement.
In an exclusive interview, Mukula clarified that his son, Rodney Akongel Mukula, chose to run as an independent candidate for Member of Parliament in Soroti City East Division out of respect for the party’s internal processes, not as an act of defiance.
“My son is NRM born, NRM bred, and subscribes to NRM ideals. His loyalty to the party is unquestionable,” Mukula stated. “He is mature enough to make his own political decisions, and he opted to contest independently to avoid creating unnecessary tension among party members during primaries.”
Mukula emphasized that in a democratic system, the right to stand for election is fundamental, and ultimately, it is the voters who decide. He insisted that his support for his son’s independent bid does not equate to disloyalty to the NRM, but rather reflects a commitment to democratic values within the party’s broader framework.
“The NRM itself champions multi-party democracy and citizen participation. My son’s candidacy is an exercise of that democratic right,” Mukula explained. “To accuse me of sabotage for supporting my own blood is not only misleading but also divisive.”
FULL SUPPORT FOR MUSEVENI REMAINS
Addressing claims that he is undermining President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s mobilization efforts, Mukula categorically reaffirmed his unwavering support for the NRM government and the President.
“My loyalty to NRM and President Museveni is unwavering. I have served this party through thick and thin, and I remain focused on rallying support and votes for the President ahead of the 2026 elections,” he asserted. “My commitment has not changed, nor will it.”
Mukula dismissed reports of holding parallel meetings or bribing flag bearers as fabrications, accusing political rivals of orchestrating a campaign to damage his name.
“These allegations are baseless and meant to soil my reputation. I have not promised anyone posters in exchange for loyalty. This is pure character assassination,” he said.
He called on party leaders to focus on unifying the NRM rather than engaging in internal attacks, warning that such conflicts only weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
Mukula urged the party to channel its energy into strengthening grassroots structures and supporting all candidates—whether party flag bearers or independents, who align with NRM values.
“The NRM’s strength lies in its unity and its ability to accommodate diverse voices within a democratic framework. Let us not allow petty politics to distract us from the larger goal of securing victory for President Museveni and the NRM in 2026,” he concluded.
Political observers note that Mukula’s response underscores the delicate balance within the NRM between party discipline and individual political ambition. His rebuttal frames the issue not as one of rebellion, but as an expression of democratic choice within a party that prides itself on internal diversity.
As the 2026 elections approach, the NRM faces the challenge of managing internal dissent while maintaining a united front, a test that will likely shape its campaign strategy in the months ahead.
