NRM losers going nowhere
Oct 04, 2010
A couple of months ago, just before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) went to the polls to choose its flag-bearers to the different electoral positions, some colleagues in Parliament came to me one fine evening.
Karooro Okurut
A couple of months ago, just before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) went to the polls to choose its flag-bearers to the different electoral positions, some colleagues in Parliament came to me one fine evening. “Maria,†they ventured, “we are spreading our hands out wide.â€
I wanted to know why. “That’s because after NRM primaries are over, many of you will be running and eager to join the opposition.â€
Their calculation and reasoning was that like in any election, there would be disgruntled folks who would be only too happy to quit the party after losing in the primaries, and desperate for a chance to get flag-bearership for the nearest available forum.
The primaries came and went. Admittedly, there were problems here and there – what with the hundreds of petitions against the verdict in many places, several cases of recounting of ballots and a few areas where the election was not held or had to be repeated. All this was followed by huge media tirade about the integrity of the party, raising big questions about its unity. Some pundits predicted that this was it – the party would not survive this wave.
It has been well said by one wise man that circumstances do not make a man; they only reveal what he is made of. For NRM’s case, if ever there was any doubt as to how strong and united this party is, those doubts have been dispelled by the aftermath of the election controversy that was visited upon the party.
It is noteworthy that nothing has happened by way of exodus from the NRM. The party has remained perfectly intact with no trace of intent on the part of any of its members to cross over to the other side. Those who are labelled disgruntled have stuck with their party and instead the inflow of members from other parties is increasing by the day.
The influx of people from the other side of the political divide, suggesting that far from the ‘business unusual’ that critics had predicted, this is simply business as usual.
What explains the NRM’s remaining steadfast at a time of what was perceived as a crisis where those in the opposition thought there would be numerous crossovers from the NRM to their parties?
First, credit must be given to the institutional mechanisms within the party, in this case, the committee headed by NRM vice-chairman Al Hajji Moses Kigongo which was set up in the wake of the post-election outcry and mandated to investigate complaints and also foster unity amidst the crisis. The committee has covered plenty of ground in this regard.
That aside, the way the party is governed is through systems and structures that operate efficiently and ensure predictability and certainty.
Secondly, every institution that has come across as strong and stable will inevitably have links to certain individuals whose traits have rubbed onto the institution and given it the character it carries. For the NRM’s case the leadership of the party is very strong. The chairman has the confidence of the party members.
Neither hell nor high water has proved able to cloud members' impression of his credentials as the ever-reliable captain of the ship, steering the vessel safely through stormy waters and getting it safely to dock.
Thirdly, we must look at the growth of the NRM over the last few years, in size. It has gradually gained such strong momentum, the kind that takes a vehicle over several hills, even with the ignition off.
As a party we have passed the point of no return. The demise of the NRM just because of some small problem can no longer be so much as contemplated. Momentum once gained is usually sufficient to roll over every obstacle.
In short, the NRM members are going nowhere.
This all reminds me of Jesus in John 6:68, after some of His disciples had abandoned ship, claiming that the standards the Lord was setting were too high for them. He turned to the remaining ones and asked them if they were also going to quit.
Simon Peter promptly replied with shock and contempt at the suggestion that there was such a possibility of them quitting camp: “Lord to whom shall we go?†he asked. “You have the words of life.â€
For Peter, there was no life outside Jesus. And I am glad that for the NRM members, the very thought of being locked outside the NRM fold is simply out of the question.
A couple of months ago, just before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) went to the polls to choose its flag-bearers to the different electoral positions, some colleagues in Parliament came to me one fine evening. “Maria,†they ventured, “we are spreading our hands out wide.â€
I wanted to know why. “That’s because after NRM primaries are over, many of you will be running and eager to join the opposition.â€
Their calculation and reasoning was that like in any election, there would be disgruntled folks who would be only too happy to quit the party after losing in the primaries, and desperate for a chance to get flag-bearership for the nearest available forum.
The primaries came and went. Admittedly, there were problems here and there – what with the hundreds of petitions against the verdict in many places, several cases of recounting of ballots and a few areas where the election was not held or had to be repeated. All this was followed by huge media tirade about the integrity of the party, raising big questions about its unity. Some pundits predicted that this was it – the party would not survive this wave.
It has been well said by one wise man that circumstances do not make a man; they only reveal what he is made of. For NRM’s case, if ever there was any doubt as to how strong and united this party is, those doubts have been dispelled by the aftermath of the election controversy that was visited upon the party.
It is noteworthy that nothing has happened by way of exodus from the NRM. The party has remained perfectly intact with no trace of intent on the part of any of its members to cross over to the other side. Those who are labelled disgruntled have stuck with their party and instead the inflow of members from other parties is increasing by the day.
The influx of people from the other side of the political divide, suggesting that far from the ‘business unusual’ that critics had predicted, this is simply business as usual.
What explains the NRM’s remaining steadfast at a time of what was perceived as a crisis where those in the opposition thought there would be numerous crossovers from the NRM to their parties?
First, credit must be given to the institutional mechanisms within the party, in this case, the committee headed by NRM vice-chairman Al Hajji Moses Kigongo which was set up in the wake of the post-election outcry and mandated to investigate complaints and also foster unity amidst the crisis. The committee has covered plenty of ground in this regard.
That aside, the way the party is governed is through systems and structures that operate efficiently and ensure predictability and certainty.
Secondly, every institution that has come across as strong and stable will inevitably have links to certain individuals whose traits have rubbed onto the institution and given it the character it carries. For the NRM’s case the leadership of the party is very strong. The chairman has the confidence of the party members.
Neither hell nor high water has proved able to cloud members' impression of his credentials as the ever-reliable captain of the ship, steering the vessel safely through stormy waters and getting it safely to dock.
Thirdly, we must look at the growth of the NRM over the last few years, in size. It has gradually gained such strong momentum, the kind that takes a vehicle over several hills, even with the ignition off.
As a party we have passed the point of no return. The demise of the NRM just because of some small problem can no longer be so much as contemplated. Momentum once gained is usually sufficient to roll over every obstacle.
In short, the NRM members are going nowhere.
This all reminds me of Jesus in John 6:68, after some of His disciples had abandoned ship, claiming that the standards the Lord was setting were too high for them. He turned to the remaining ones and asked them if they were also going to quit.
Simon Peter promptly replied with shock and contempt at the suggestion that there was such a possibility of them quitting camp: “Lord to whom shall we go?†he asked. “You have the words of life.â€
For Peter, there was no life outside Jesus. And I am glad that for the NRM members, the very thought of being locked outside the NRM fold is simply out of the question.