Museveni warns Movement MP primaries losers against going independent
“Where there are NRM and Opposition candidates, I wouldn’t advise you to come as independents because if things go wrong, you will be the one to blame,” Museveni said.
President Yoweri Museveni urged the politicians to remain loyal and to seek redress through legal means rather than splitting the NRM vote. (File photo)
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President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) who lost in the recent party primaries against standing as independents in the 2026 General Election, warning that such a move could cost the ruling party victory in several constituencies.
Addressing a meeting of NRM MPs and independents who had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the party at State Lodge in Arua city, on Monday, October 13, 2025, Museveni urged the politicians to remain loyal and to seek redress through legal means rather than splitting the NRM vote.
“Where there are NRM and Opposition candidates, I wouldn’t advise you to come as independents because if things go wrong, you will be the one to blame,” Museveni said.
“If you divide the vote and the Opposition takes the constituency, how will you forgive yourself?”
The meeting, attended by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni, drew several MPs who lost in the recent primaries. Many complained of being cheated during the exercise, alleging that results were altered in favour of their opponents.
Rebellion isn't the solution
Museveni acknowledged that some of them may have been provoked by “selfish individuals,” but advised that the proper remedy lies in the law, not rebellion.
“If there was cheating, bring the evidence and we shall act against those responsible. Electoral offenses can be punished even after a year. But if you have no proof because your agents were compromised, that means you need to strengthen your political structures,” he said.
The President reminded them that during the 2021 elections, the NRM lost over 21 parliamentary seats in Buganda region because of vote splitting between party flag-bearers and independents.
Prof Elijah Dickens Mushemeza, the MP Sheema South recently announced to contest as independent following his defeat. (Courtesy photo)
“You should ask yourself whether you want to be part of dividing the NRM. For me, I wouldn’t do that,” he warned.
Bushenyi cases
In the Greater Bushenyi sub-region, several MPs who lost in the primaries had announced plans to return to the race as independents. These, include Ruhinda South MP Capt. Dononzio Kahonda Mugabe, Sheema South MP Prof. Elijah Dickens Mushemeza, Mitooma District Woman MP Agasha Bashisha Juliet, Sheema North MP Naome Kibaaju, Buhweju District Woman MP Olive Katwesigye Koyekyenga, Buhweju West MP Ephraim Biraro Ganshanga and Rubirizi District Woman MP Grace Kesande Bataringaya.
Museveni appealed to such politicians to reconsider their decisions, noting that unity within the party was key to maintaining NRM’s dominance and stability.
“If you divide yourselves, you help the Opposition. Where there are only NRM candidates, I may keep quiet and let the law take its course, but where there is also an Opposition candidate, standing as an independent is betrayal, he emphasised.
The President further advised that politicians should not enter politics when financially unstable or indebted, saying this often leads to poor decision-making and vulnerability.
“Don’t join politics when you are poor. Get a soft loan through the parliamentary SACCOs, build yourself economically, and come back when you are financially stable. If you have shillings 400 million, use only 40 percent in politics, not all,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, Cabinet ministers, and members of the NRM central executive committee.