Why NRM’s forthcoming national conference exhibits party’s disciplined democracy

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OPINION

By Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye

In a notice dated July 26 signed by President Yoweri Museveni in his capacity as the national chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), he formally summoned the members of the party to the first meeting of the 4th National Conference, scheduled for August 27-28 at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

The notice outlines key issues on the agenda, such as a keynote address by President Museveni and the presentation of recommended candidates for roles in the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).

As the administrator of the office of the national chairman of NRM, I assert that the holding of the NRM National Conference in the election period exhibits how the ruling party under President Museveni values and entrenches cherished democracy, one of the four principles of NRM. While chairing a meeting of the Defence Forces Council, the supreme decision-making body of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) at State House Entebbe on May 8, President Museveni guided that true democracy must be disciplined democracy. He explained:

“On the issue of democracy, which is one of the four principles of the NRM, we want disciplined democracy, not hooliganism, not bad language because we want Ugandans to decide what they want without intimidation.”

Ugandans must appreciate that President Museveni has been honest on the democracy pledge as enshrined in the original NRM Ten Point Programme.

To appreciate that, indeed, he has honoured the pledge, one has to read Jonathan Day’s April 12, 2022, article, titled, What makes a democracy a democracy?

He comes up with the 14 principles of democracy. These are participation of citizens, equality, accountability, transparency, political tolerance, multi-party system, control over abuse of power, freedom of economy, Bill of rights, free and fair elections, free courts, accepting election results, and the rule of law.

When you critically analyse what each of the 14 principles of democracy entails, then you come to a conclusion that, indeed, Uganda, under President Museveni, is a democracy.

The challenge we face now as a country is the indisciplined political players in the political opposition. They have been caught on the wrong side of the law during their political activism. They have a tendency of violating electoral laws and regulations put in place by law enforcement agencies like the Police.

They have failed to emulate our leading democrat, President Museveni, who respects the electoral laws and the other laws of the land.

As we head into the election year, 2026, our brothers and sisters in the political opposition should comply with the laws of the country. They should prevail on the supporters who tend to resort to violent behaviours, especially when their candidate’s support is thin on the ground.

To the NRM members and supporters, let us remain committed to deepening democracy in our motherland. We should not betray the National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters who sacrificed their lives during the bush war.

They fought for the cause, and that cause was to usher in stability, democracy and equality in our country.

Fortunately, the outcome of their struggle is visible and enjoyed by all Ugandans.

To the NRM members who will attend the National Conference, let the conference be a blessing to all Ugandans. The outcome should entrench our country’s democracy.

The writer is a senior presidential adviser, political affairs, Office of the National Chairperson/national co-ordinator Bazzukulu