Fifteen independent candidates in Kabale District who had chosen to contest against National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearers after losing in the party primaries have decided to step down from the race, according to Engineer Jonard Asiimwe, the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Western Region.

Asiimwe made the announcement in a statement released after a reconciliation meeting held on Friday in Kabale. The meeting aimed to bring together NRM flag bearers and party-leaning independent candidates who had contested the results of the primaries but were still loyal to the party.

Among those who attended the meeting were Hon. Asinga Bridget Tumwesigye, NRM Vice Chairperson for Kabale District; Miria Tugume, Vice Chairperson of Kabale District Local Government; and Edison Turyahabwa, the party’s Publicity Secretary.

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Asiimwe revealed that 15 independents had consented to withdraw and back the official NRM flag bearers. The list included Denick Akanjuna, Darasiano Byarugaba, Roset, Tumuheirwe, Innocent Byomuhangi, Justus Niwaha, Isaac Musiika, Alexander Tumwesigye, Crispus Niwagaba, Jasent Ahabwe, Roze Namara, Dankan Niwasasira, Davis Ahumuza, John Kariisa, Evans Beinenaama, and Francis Turanyomwe.

During the general meeting, Asiimwe appealed to party supporters to refrain from attacking or harassing independents who remain loyal to the NRM, emphasizing that reconciliation efforts were still underway. He stressed that the independents “still belong to the house of NRM” despite lacking official party flags, noting that strengthening party unity was now a key priority.

However, several notable figures were missing from both the public and private sessions. These included David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade and NRM District Chairperson, who is running as an independent for the Ndorwa West County MP seat, Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, and Nelson Nshangabasheija, the current Kabale District LC5 Chairperson.