Published on 10/11/2025
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) national vice chairperson, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, has called on party leaders in Butaleja to set aside personal differences and unite to strengthen the Movement’s grassroots structures, stressing that the party is “bigger than all of us.”
In a meeting with NRM leaders on Sunday, Kigongo urged members to uphold discipline and loyalty, warning that internal wrangles and support for independent candidates were undermining the NRM’s unity.
“Let us forgive our colleagues and remember that the Movement is bigger than all of us,” Kigongo said. “If the structures collapse, the Movement will collapse too. We are here because of those structures.”
He reminded leaders that grassroots mobilization is essential and that they must take responsibility for organizing their areas. “We don’t need people from Kampala to come and organize your villages,” he said. “Move house to house and get the votes for the Movement.”
Kigongo also expressed concern about reports that some NRM officials were supporting independent candidates, calling such actions “indiscipline.” “How can a district chairperson support an independent? Is that person really a leader?” he asked. “We know them, and time will come when we expose them.”
He warned against turning politics into a money-driven affair, emphasizing that genuine service to the party should come before financial gain. “You can get money through proper channels, but don’t use it to destroy the party,” he said.
Kigongo concluded by reaffirming the NRM’s strength and urging members to rally behind party flag bearers. “The Movement is strong and will not fail. Let us protect our gains and move forward together.”
Following Kigongo, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong addressed the ongoing issue of independents within the party.
“This is an important meeting, and I’m glad we’re opening a new chapter where disagreements are opportunities for internal correction, not division,” Todwong said.
Todwong emphasized that the President is completely against independents and that the party must unite behind the flag bearers. “We must support the selected flag bearers. Independents must step down,” he said. “If you are supporting an independent, you must step down from your NRM position. Disloyalty will not be tolerated.”
Emmanuel Dombo, NRM’s Director for Communications, reiterated his commitment to the party’s unity.
“I want to make it clear that I have never considered running as an independent. When I lost in the NRM primaries, I refused to run independently because it would have split the party. I am committed to NRM’s unity.”
Dombo shared his experience with false accusations, explaining that the President had sent an ISO investigation team to clear him of accusations that he had incited violence in Butaleja. “The ISO investigation exonerated me,” he said. “I’ve always supported the party and continue to do so.”
He called on party leadership to take action against false accusations, urging unity for the party’s success. “I’ve never contested as an independent, and I will continue to mobilize support for the NRM flag bearers,” Dombo affirmed. “We must stay united.”
Hajat Medina Naham, NRM Director for Finance and Administration, echoed the call for loyalty and discipline within the party.
“In all meetings with the President, he has never allowed independents to run against NRM flag bearers,” Naham said. “If you are an NRM official and supporting an independent, you must step down from your position. We cannot hand over party resources to leaders who are not loyal.”
Naham reinforced the importance of supporting the party’s flag bearers, stressing that disloyalty would only harm the Movement. “We must all fall in line behind the flag bearers to ensure NRM’s success,” she said.
The meeting was also attended by the party National Treasurer, Amb Barbara Nekesa.
