The National Resistance Movement (NRM), expected to lead Uganda toward political redemption, has instead become a source of disappointment with its recently concluded chaotic primary elections. The fallout has left many Ugandans disillusioned—so much so that even the discredited Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) finds itself laughing from the sidelines.
James Akena, who inherited UPC leadership from his mother, Miria Kalule Obote, remains embroiled in a long-standing political and legal tug-of-war. Yet, he recently convened another questionable ‘delegates’ conference’ to extend his mandate, underscoring the dysfunction in Uganda’s broader political landscape.
Even more ironic is Democratic Party (DP) leader and current Justice Minister, Norbert Mao, who just weeks ago had to be rescued by police during a chaotic DP delegates’ conference in Mbarara. Now, he has taken to offering unsolicited advice to the NRM on how to conduct elections.
Mao’s contested grip on DP since 2015 has yielded little, prompting many party stalwarts to abandon ship. Like FDC, ANT, and PFF, the DP now appears as an empty vessel adrift and in need of rescue.
By all accounts—voter bribery, intimidation, results manipulation, and violence—the NRM primaries played out exactly as predicted. What should have served as a wake-up call for preventive action instead fueled further impunity and chaos. Currently, the NRM election disputes tribunal and reconciliation committees are working overtime to resolve disputes—a process many now regard as the “losers’ bargain.”
Whether these efforts succeed remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the party now teeters on the edge, overwhelmed by public discontent, internal blame games, and a severe lack of accountability from those who blatantly violated party rules and basic democratic principles.
Since the return of multiparty politics in 2005, indiscipline within the NRM has steadily worsened. The rot became evident when disgruntled candidates—including ministers such as then-State Minister for Higher Education Simon Mayende—refused to concede defeat, citing frivolous reasons. Their actions forced President Yoweri Museveni to famously respond, quoting scripture: “In my father’s house are many rooms.”
This biblical reassurance was interpreted literally, birthing a dangerous precedent—where election losers expected reward and rehabilitation instead of introspection and reform.
Today, Uganda is reaping the bitter fruits of that political compromise. Many such “losers” have transformed into extortionists, creating a culture of entitlement, resentment, and blackmail. NRM members who have gained significantly from Museveni’s political generosity should not be allowed to flout the rules and act with impunity.
Worse still, some of the very architects of the electoral malpractice now play the victim, crying foul before tribunal hearings. Ironically, they have made Fred Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, the scapegoat—even for minor irregularities at village polling stations. But after two decades and multiple reshuffles of the electoral commission, it’s evident that the problem is systemic, not individual.
To avoid comparisons with Obote’s UPC or Idi Amin’s regime, and to honor the legacy of its founders and fallen heroes buried in Luwero Triangle, the NRM must undertake a serious self-examination.
The party cannot continue down a path of political decay and expect Ugandans to passively watch. It should raise serious concern when young NRM supporters in rural areas, disillusioned by violent and corrupt party elections, begin to openly declare their intent to join opposition groups like the National Unity Platform (NUP) if their grievances remain unaddressed.
The hundreds of election officials currently facing prosecution must, if convicted, be permanently barred from handling any future election-related duties. They should also be dismissed from the party to send a clear message of deterrence. The NRM cannot afford to normalize malpractice.
After 20 years of multiparty democracy and regular internal elections, if NRM members still fail to grasp the importance of fair competition, the party risks losing its legitimacy to govern. Leadership must be earned—not imposed, bought, or manipulated.
See list of winners and losers in the recently held NRM primaries Here and There.
The list with Names of Over 200 Candidates Challenging NRM Primaries Results is Here.
