The recently concluded elections to choose the office bearers of the NRM at villages, sub-counties. And district level have once again re-ignited debate about the internal democracy of the party as well as the role of politicians in the country in general.

In many places, NRM voters fear the irregularities, ranging from late or non delivery of voting materials to open bribing of delegates by some candidates could be repeated in the coming primaries for Parliamentary and LC V chairmen elections slated for August 30, about a week from now.

According to some analysts NRM big wigs rushed to become district chairperson mainly to confirm their patronage and establishing themselves as small gods in some areas.

This was the case in Kasese, Kabale, Bushenyi and many other districts where Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, Hope Mwesigye, Hassan Bassajabalaba and many other long time politicians were elected party chairperson.

In a number of districts NRM has established small gods that other members have found themselves compelled to bow before, lest they crash;

A scenario that explains why in Ssembabule Theodore Ssekikubo, Joy Kabatsi and Chairman Herman Ssentongo has had rough time in their political careers as they have always had to go against the wishes of NRM king-makers.

The trio has often clashed with strong minister Sam Kutesa who has used his clout to suffocate their interests.

Granted; this is the first time the party is choosing its leaders using universal adult suffrage as opposed to the electoral college system used in previous elections.

But close followers of the whole election process argue that the resultant chaos and violence seen was less surprising, in fact, anticipated given the way the party is being managed.

NRM is perhaps the only ruling party on the continent which thrives on the generosity of its chairman who is also the president of the country for financing of its activities.

As evidenced by the chaos so far, officials from NRM's electoral commission were unable to conduct sensitization campaigns for their members prior to elections which created confusion especially regarding the number of leagues members were supposed to participate in at local and district levels.

Some of the officials involved in the party's electoral process have privately admitted to The Sunrise that they could not help the situation since they had no budget for sensitization.

There are efforts to try to avoid the past mistakes by preparing voting materials early, there are concerns especially when it comes to the way voters will cast the votes.

Reliable information shows that ballot papers do not have candidates' pictures nor their names.

This means that voters will have to write the names of their choice.

But it does not take a rocket scientist to foresee the level of chaos that is likely to come with this exercise, especially when one considers the fact that a large number of Ugandans are illiterate and will therefore fail to write the names of their candidates of choice.

The failure to have candidates' photos is an inexcusable mistake in the making.

Unlike their counterparts in Chama cha Mapinduzi for example who have built institutions that have invested in things like a printery, NRM is forced to forego some printing costs.

And  yet, if the party had invested in such a venture, it would be able to raise money by printing posters for thousands of its nominated candidates.

Some insiders in the party argue that the reluctance by party leaders to put in place functioning and accountable structures is born out of the fear that a well-functioning and organized party would be too strong for their continued stay in power.

Such a policy that deliberately stagnates the development of the party in the end perpetuates the patronage of the leader who is looked at as the almighty giver and taker.

Apart from the fact that NRM MPs contribute Ushs 200.000 each monthly, some members fear that their party will crumble like a park of cards the moment their chief sponsor leaves the stage.

One staunch NRM supporter who preferred anonymity, revealed that the party's continued state of affairs shows the party might not outlive its current leaders.

"NRM is the way it is, not operating as an institution not by mistake but by design. Its sole objective is to benefit president Museveni.

" The source said "Because Museveni has the fear that if the party is empowered to operate as an institution, it would kick him out if he goes against its set principles at one time," The source continued.

Other members still add that the party's continued dependency on President Museveni hampers the internal democracy of the party.

Referring to the recent elections, the aggrieved members argue that the party's structures, for example will continue to be toothless.

Since what matters now in NRM is not the position or the responsibility one holds but the member's proximity to the centre of power which is the Person of the president." blog comments powered by Disqus

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