Hoima district NRM leadership split by independent wave

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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership in Hoima district is grappling with a deepening internal crisis after several senior party officials declined to step down for official party flag bearers and instead opted to contest as independent candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

The growing internal turmoil is causing anxiety among party leaders, who fear it could undermine NRM’s traditionally strong support in Hoima district, a long-time party stronghold.

Nicholus Musinguzi, a member of the district entrepreneurs league, has openly campaigned in support of independent candidate Harriet Businge Mugenyi in the district woman Member of Parliament race, a move that has heightened tensions within the party.

Julius Okello, a resident of Buseruka sub-county, said the defiance by some top district party officials has ignited sharp divisions within the party’s rank and file, raising fears that the rebellion could weaken NRM’s electoral dominance in the area.

“We are seeing party leaders openly campaigning for the independent candidates against their official flag bearers, and this could weaken our party,” Okello said.

Among those defying the official party line are Musinguzi, the NRM district entrepreneurs league member; Harriet Businge Mugenyi, the district NRM treasurer vying for the District Woman MP seat; and Jackson Mulindabura, the district NRM publicity secretary, contesting for Kiganja sub-county.

The decision by these party officials to continue associating themselves with NRM—using party symbols, carrying President Yoweri Museveni’s portrait and directly campaigning for him—has triggered friction with official flag bearers and the district NRM chairperson, Vincent Muhumuza, who is also the NRM flag bearer for the Hoima district LCV seat.

In response to the growing divisions, the First National Vice Chairperson of the NRM, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, recently held a meeting with party leaders in Hoima aimed at resolving the standoff, warning that the infighting poses a serious threat to party support in the district.

Kigongo tasked the election losers to embrace peace, unity and harmonisation, and rally behind the official flag bearers. He further cautioned some NRM leaders from the region, particularly those from Hoima City, against supporting or funding opposition and independent candidates, noting that disciplinary action would be taken against those found culpable.

According to Kigongo, the party’s top organ is currently investigating some members accused of financing independent and opposition candidates in the region.

Dialogue

Western region NRM vice-chairperson Jonard Asiimwe said dialogue remains key in resolving the crisis. He revealed plans to constitute a committee to engage the election losers and ensure they are accommodated within the party structures.

However, despite directives to vacate their party offices, some officials have refused to step aside.

Mugenyi, who is contesting against Beatrice Wembabazi, the official NRM flag-bearer, insists she remains the legitimate district party treasurer.

“I am a member of the NRM party and am in the field campaigning for the president and am the district party treasurer,” she said.

She maintained that she was elected by the people and remains loyal to the NRM, saying her candidature is driven by the need for fair representation.

The continued use of NRM insignia by independents has angered loyal party members and flag bearers, who accuse them of confusing voters and weakening the party’s organisational message.

NRM general secretary Maxwell Kaboyo has since embarked on a district-wide mobilisation campaign to publicly disassociate the party from the independents.

“As a party, we have flag bearers who were elected by the people, and those are the ones we are campaigning for. All those claiming to be NRM should have accepted our message and withdrawn from the race,” Kaboyo said.

Israel Kabyanga, a farmer and chairperson of the elderly, warned that internal sabotage threatens party cohesion and could erode President Museveni’s support base in Hoima.

Bugahya County MP Pius Wakabi said his focus remains on mobilising support for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers.

“We need to be united and work together, focusing on securing a win for our presidential flag bearer and our candidates at all levels,” Wakabi said.