The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is likely to see an increased number of its members contesting as independents in the July elections, going up against candidates officially endorsed by the party.

From the first day of the nomination exercise, it became evident that many incumbent MPs who lost in the NRM primaries have chosen to seek reelection as independents. Among them are several current ministers who appear to have ignored the party’s appeals to support those who emerged victorious in the primaries.

In recent weeks, top NRM figures including Moses Kigongo, Anita Among, Thomas Tayebwa, and Chief Whip Hamson Obua, have toured different regions in efforts to reconcile winners and losers from the party’s primaries. Despite these efforts, many losing candidates have not heeded the call for unity.

Even after meeting with the Party Chairman and NRM Presidential candidate, Yoweri Museveni, in Arua, the disgruntled members seemed unwilling to follow his advice. The expectation was that those who lost would step aside in favor of the official party flag bearers but this has not materialized.

In Kitagwenda County (Kitagwenda District), incumbent Joseph Nulu Byamukama was nominated as an independent candidate and will face Robert Mugabe, the NRM flag bearer. Byamukama, who has represented the constituency since 2001, was defeated in 2016 but reclaimed the seat in 2021.

He explained that his decision to run independently was a precautionary move rather than a challenge to the party candidate. “I hear there are some people who want to ensure that Mugabe is not nominated or elected. I am here to make sure that if anything goes wrong, the NRM people have someone who supports the party to vote.”

In Kabale District, State Minister for Trade David Bahati, who also chairs the district’s NRM branch, was nominated as an independent after losing to Eliab Naturinda Mporeera. Bahati had stayed quiet after the primaries but resurfaced during nominations, denouncing what he called “massive irregularities” in the process.

Similarly, Kabale District Woman MP Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, who lost to Enid Origumisiriza, will also contest as an independent. James Akampumuza Rutanga (Ndorwa East), Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema (Rubanda District LC5), Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda (Rubanda Woman MP), and Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera (Rubanda West) all followed suit after losing their party primaries.

In Rukiga District, Captain Damson Charismas Kivumba, a retired Special Forces Command officer who lost to Patrick Kiconco Katabazi, also joined the list of independents.

Kisoro District has seen a similar wave, with incumbents John Ninzeyimana Kamara (Bufumbira North), Eddie Kwizeera Wagahungu (Bukimbiri), and Sam Kwizera Bitangaro (Bufumbira South) all opting to run as independents. Dr. Leo Mfitimana (Kisoro Municipality) and Abel Bizimana (Bufumbira East) were also nominated after losing in the NRM primaries.

In Kanungu District, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police John Ngaruye Ndungutse (Kinkiizi West) and current Woman MP Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, along with Ethster Majambere, who lost to Betty Namara Mutabazi Kataba, have all entered the race as independents. Rukungiri’s Bob Alex Rugonde (Rubabo County) did the same after losing to Mathias Rwabugumi Mwesigwa.

In Amuria, State Minister for Works and Roads Musa Ecweru, who also serves as Amuria District NRM Chairperson and area MP, was nominated as an independent candidate. He lost the party primary to Samuel Ediau, a former UPC member who joined the NRM less than two years ago.

After his nomination, Ecweru said: "This is not the end of the route but the engine of our journey. NRM indeed made rules stating that those who fail in party primaries should not contest again, not realizing that it could lead to politics of intimidation and selfish interests, where young people were used to vote. This time, we shall see who will prevail."

He thanked God for guiding him through the nomination process and promised to respect all electoral laws.

In Karamoja, Minister for Karamoja Affairs Peter Teko Lokeris was also nominated as an independent to contest for the Chekwii East County seat in Nakapiripirit District. Lokeris lost the primaries to Stephen Lokoru Yoyo but emphasized that his decision was motivated by loyalty to the NRM, not defiance.

He explained that, as one of the NRM’s founding members, he could not stand by while “irregularities” undermined the party’s strength. Despite his independent status, Lokeris reaffirmed his continued allegiance to the NRM.

Overall, the growing list of NRM members contesting as independents, many of them ministers and senior party figures, signals internal discontent following the party’s primaries, despite repeated reconciliation efforts from top leadership.

URN