NRM opens door to new generations

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OPINION

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) wrapped up its internal elections with the National Conference yesterday, concluding a week-long series of events in Kololo, Kampala.

The discussions started on Saturday, with a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Entebbe. The process resulted in winners and losers, heavy spending, heated debates and claims of fake delegates. Reports even indicated that some candidates for top positions hid delegates, possibly transporting them across borders to prevent rivals from accessing them. Such incidents revealed the weaknesses of the electoral system.

Even so, the NRM National Conference was a grand event, dominating headlines and projecting the party’s strength. Amidst claims of vote-buying and alleged miscounts, the elections and deliberations continued.

Action was, however, taken in the entrepreneur league race, where elections were suspended over suspected malpractice.

Any party hoping to challenge the NRM in next year’s general elections will need something equally spectacular to match its visibility. In contrast, most opposition parties have quietly chosen their flagbearers in low key events, reflecting their limited membership and lack of national presence.

Unlike the NRM, they do not require large scale conferences because some don’t have a presence in all parts of the country, and their membership is restricted to one region.

Attention now turns to the National Unity Platform (NUP), the leading opposition party, which is still selecting candidates.

With nominations for the 2026 elections set for mid-September, NUP must finalise its choices quickly and project readiness to take on the NRM.

The emergence of new faces in the Central Executive Committee (CEC) races signalled a broader transition within the NRM. In the early days under the Movement political system, the chairman appointed top secretariat officials. Once the NRM became a party, leaders were elected, but it was generally assumed that historical figures and long-serving members would secure top positions. That assumption is fading, as younger members now openly challenge them.

A striking example was the defeat of Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, a bush war hero, top security operative and longtime minister, by Lt (rtd) Moses Mushabe. Muhwezi, regarded as a party ideologue, lost despite decades of service. His fall weakened the argument advanced by former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga that loyalty and long service should guarantee a leader’s place in the hierarchy.

Unlike Muhwezi, Kadaga was not in the bush. So, her justification to ring-fence the position of vice-national chairperson (female) for her to retain it based on loyalty, commitment and work done for the party was not strong enough. Had she been alone in the contest, it would have worked. Also, had the other contender been willing to step down for her, it would have worked. However, the contender, who is a new member, was determined and had set her eyes on the seat much earlier. The current Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, could not countenance bowing out of the race.

The NRM would hesitate to bar new entrants, as a mass party, it has to continue inviting and welcoming more. This worked to the disadvantage of Kadaga and others.

Her argument to ring-fence the position based on loyalty and commitment was not strong enough. It ran against the sweeping tide of change, which she seemed to mistake for a plot against her. With two strong-minded women unwilling to yield, the only option was the ballot.

Kadaga felt unfairly treated and, in the end, humiliated. She lost region after region and only narrowly won in her Busoga home.

In her earlier NEC address, she warned of the consequences of voting her out. Addressing President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM chairman, she said: “If this matter goes to contest, it will cause serious problems in my community. People here may think you are fighting a bigger community.” This sounded like blackmail and self-importance, which could have angered delegates.

The Opposition has since invited her to join them, though her next move is unclear. She, however, is the NRM’s parliamentary candidate for Kamuli District Woman MP.

The Kadaga–Among contest demonstrated that the party is taking a new direction. It is opening up to new leaders through elections, a response to concerns about succession. A time will come when President Museveni may no longer emerge unopposed; he will have to either stand down or compete. On Saturday, NEC heard contenders in a bid to encourage some to step down for others.

Some obliged. For instance, the race for national vice-chairperson had Alhajji Moses Kigongo and three challengers — Emmanuel Kisembo, Bridge Agaba and Samuel Oledo Odongo, all of whom opted out.

Kisembo explained: “I decided to withdraw for the cohesion and stability of the party. Since the position is administrative, I agreed to be mentored by Alhajji Kigongo.”

There is no doubt that in five years, he would vie for the seat, and Kigongo would have to either give way or face him.

Kadaga, however, refused to quit, insisting that as the incumbent, she deserved to retain the position. But the National Conference seemed intent on ushering in new leaders. When she said, “I am the incumbent, and this is my position until I am voted out. I am not moving for anybody,” delegates listened and voted her out.

Among, by contrast, looked to the future.

“We must move with the generation. I am the generational leader,” she told NEC, repeating the message at the Conference.

She pledged to mobilise across the country, boasting that she had already recruited over 10 opposition MPs. She presented herself as building on the foundation laid by historical leaders, while Kadaga appeared to cling to incumbency.

Others read the signs and stepped down gracefully. Mike Mukula withdrew and pledged to work with David Calvin Echodu, who was elected vice-chairperson for eastern region. In the central region, incumbent Godfrey Ssubi Kiwanda pulled out and supported microfinance minister Kyeyune Kasolo.

Party elections inevitably generate tension and threaten cohesion. Yet they remain the most credible way of choosing leaders.

The NRM has embraced primaries both for national candidates and top party positions. However, it must reflect on the challenges and logistical strains of organising such massive events.

X @dmukholi1 Email: dmukholi@gmail.com