Bunyangabu National Resistance Movement-NRM party members have criticized the party leaders who are going around endorsing presidential candidates for the 2026 general elections. The members say that it is disappointing that the party has shifted from implementing its 2021-2026 manifesto and opted for early campaigns just two years after being given a fresh mandate.
On Friday, about 200 NRM party members assembled at Kibito Secondary School for their delegate’s conference where the district party chairperson, Robert Musinguzi requested them to endorse Museveni as their candidate for the 2026 election.
However, most of the members shunned the invitation questioning why the party was rushing to pick president Museveni who was yet to fully deliver on his current term.
At one moment they attempted to stop the exercise, saying it was smuggled onto the agenda. They argued that it was not in their interest to discuss the 2026 political candidates at the moment.
NRM party members have recently taken on the campaign to endorse president Museveni as the party’s sole candidate for 2026. Museveni’s endorsement comes at a time when some NRM youths have also intensified efforts to front his son. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba as their candidate.
Gerrald Akuguzibwe, the Kisomoro Sub County and Nyakigumba Town Council, NRM chairperson wants the party leadership to stop those spearheading early endorsement of candidates, arguing that this is not the right time to do so. He says the party has neglected important things such as enlightening the youth about the party agenda and empowering people for social transformation.
Christopher Musinguzi, the Kiyombwa Sub County LC V councilor, says that Ugandans expect a lot from the NRM this term and must be surprised to watch people they entrusted with power investing resources in mobilizing for 2026 candidates instead of working on development issues. He says that the interest of Ugandans at the moment is not politics but rather services.
Francis Gonzaga, another NRM member, says that president Museveni has to deliver on his manifesto before he can be endorsed for another term. He dismissed the endorsement as a waste of time since there are three years into another general election.
Bosco Niwewenka from Kakinga town Council in Rwimi told URN that while he supports president Museveni’s candidature in 2026, he feels this is not the right time to do so. He says those fronting Museveni’s agenda might be on a mission to attract the president’s attention.
Sam Mutesigensi, the chairperson of the veterans in Kibito town council is not pleased with party leaders for diverting from core party agendas, forgetting veterans, and investing a lot of time and resources in politics. He wants the government to focus on delivering services.
But Robert Musinguzi, the Bunyangabu District NRM chairperson maintains that endorsing president Museveni is optional and they are not forcing anyone to do it. He said it is a good opportunity for members to express their love and push for President Museveni’s 2026 bid.
Rosemary Sseninde, the NRM National mobilizer, who was the chief guest at the conference equally asked leaders to stop the Museveni-Muhoozi talk and focus on development and creating unity within the party. She asked Bunyangabu leaders to push for the expansion of government programs into the population.
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