(Kampala) – A group of disgruntled members of Uganda’s largest ruling party, the NRM, cleverly branding themselves the “Revivalists,” have decided to take the party to court. Their beef? The party has, for reasons only known to those in charge, neglected to hold internal elections since 2016. Yes—six whole years of zero elections, and now they are asking a judge to bring some order to the chaos.
Keith Kyaruzi Namara, their lawyer, took the matter to court on November 19, 2024, and he was not mincing words. He claimed that the failure to organize these elections is a direct violation of the NRM constitution. You would think a party that prides itself on being the ‘guardians’ of democracy (Ugandan style) would, you know, practice what it preaches? But no, apparently not. Kyaruzi Namara says the failure to hold elections undermines the very credibility of the NRM, which allegedly stands for ‘democracy’.
| Key Issues | Details |
|---|---|
| The Problem | NRM has not held internal elections since 2016 |
| Revivalists’ Complaint | Internal elections would ensure leadership accountability |
| Legal Basis | Violation of the NRM constitution |
| NRM’s Response | Not officially addressed yet |
Isaac Rukanda, the man leading the charge as the head of the Revivalists Movement of NRM, emphasized that they don’t have any personal grudges against the party’s top dogs. No, it is not about hating the faces at the top—it is about making sure the party returns to its “founding principles.” The Revivalists want the NRM to act more like the organization that it claims to be—the one that once fought for Uganda’s freedom and democracy. Sounds like a sweet nostalgia trip for anyone who remembers the days when the NRM was actually a liberation movement.
To be fair, the NRM has been in power since 1986, and they have managed to convince (not very successfully) everyone from their die hard supporters to the international community that they are the ones who restored stability, peace, and the rule of law after overthrowing the bad old days of dictatorships. It is a party built on values like national unity, security, law and order. But how does that align with a party that can’t seem to organize a simple internal election for over half a decade? That is like saying you are the best baker in town but not baking a single loaf for six years.
The NRM website proudly boasts of its role in bringing “democracy” back to Uganda. They even go so far as to say they “restored the vote in regular, free, and fair elections.” Now, we are all for a good history lesson, but let’s not pretend the NRM is exactly a saint in matters of democracy.
| NRM’s Image vs. Reality | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Claim | NRM restored democracy, free and fair elections |
| Reality | Internal elections haven’t happened since 2016 |
| Leadership Accountability | Inconsistent, at best |
| Public Perception | Skepticism grows, Revivalists’ lawsuit shines light on gaps |
The legal move by the Revivalists is certainly a bold one. It is not every day that you see members of the ruling party suing their own leaders. But perhaps this is what happens when the same faces stay in power for too long—everyone gets a bit fed up, and even the most loyal members start demanding change. If you are going to call it democracy, at least act like it.
Now, while the Revivalists may have the moral high ground on this one (for once), do not expect any swift resolutions. If there is anything Uganda has taught us, it is that political cases like this can drag on longer than your grandmother’s stories about the good old days. But let’s all cross our fingers for a change, even if we are not holding our breath.
