NRM's Kigongo says independents using 'our party symbols' are criminals

BUTALEJE - National Resistance Movement national vice-chairperson Al-hajj Moses Kigongo has called for the arrest of all independent candidates using the party's symbols on their campaign materials for the 2026 General Election. 

Kigongo made the call while meeting NRM flag-bearers for parliamentary seats, LC5 chairpersons, and NRM district executive members from the Bukedi region districts of Tororo, Busia, Butaleja, Budaka, Butebo, Kibuku, and Pallisa on November 9, 2025, in Butaleja. The meeting was ahead of party flag-bearer President Yoweri Museveni's campaign in the area, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. 

This order came as most flagbearers in the region complained that their support was dwindling due to the tactics of independents, but NRM-leaning individuals who did not accept the party's position.

These independents are currently running against the party's flag-bearers while using the party's colours and the image of party chairperson Museveni on their campaign posters.

"The key identifier of our party is not even its logo but the face of the party chairperson, President Museveni. Most of the independents are now using it on their campaign materials, hence confusing voters into believing they are NRM,"  NRM flag bearer for Kibale County MP seat Constantine Okwi said.

Okwi further accused NRM secretary general Richard Todwong of authorising the illegality, which he claimed was weakening the party's candidates. 

However, Todwong said the circular he had earlier written, allowing independents to use the President's face, was guided by the Director of Legal Affairs at the NRM Secretariat, with the thought that it would bring about party cohesion. However, he clarified that this would soon be rectified with another circular.

NRM members during a meeting ahead of the president's campaign trail in Bukedi subregion. (Credit: George Ofwono)

Kigongo responded by ordering that those independents camouflaging by using the party's symbols should be arrested for impersonation, in line with section 107 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalises pretending to be someone with the aim of taking advantage or causing harm.

"Those independents using our party symbols should be arrested, and if they are members of the movement structure, then they should either withdraw their candidature or disassociate themselves from us for the continuity of the party," Kigongo stated.

He also appealed to party leaders to work tirelessly towards ensuring their flag-bearers win the polls.

"Let us send the people who have our flag for the continuity of the party; anybody leaning on the bus might cause us an accident. So, I don't have any kind words for the independents because they are working towards making us fail," he added.

Bukedi has 67 parliamentary candidates and 13 LC5 chairperson candidates, most of whom participated in the NRM primaries and returned as independents, leaning towards NRM, for the 2026 elections.

A majority of these independents have since ensured the President's face appears on their campaign materials to prove their affiliation with the NRM. Party flagbearers say this is confusing party members and eroding their support.