MBALE — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Youth Coordinator, Eng. Joseph Ssewava, has called on all ministers who lost in the party’s primary elections and decided to contest as independent candidates to resign from their positions.
Addressing journalists at Palm Suites in Mbale, Ssewava said that ministers who were rejected by their constituencies should recognize that their new constituency is the NRM Presidential Candidate and party chairman, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He argued that standing as independents is an act of defiance against the President and contradicts the principles of party discipline and loyalty.
“Even if it is legal to stand as an independent according to the Constitution, politics is not a do-or-die affair,” Ssewava said. “The problem is that some of these people are selfish. Stepping aside is the best option. How can a minister stand as an independent? All ministers contesting as independents must resign because you cannot defy your party chairman and still serve as a minister. Ministers are supposed to be party mobilizers.” He emphasized.
Ssewava also criticized a section of NRM members, particularly in the Buganda region, who he said publicly claim to support the party flagbearers but secretly back opposition candidates.
“Most of the independents in the Greater Masaka region are being supported by NRM leaders,” he said. “In Kalungu District, some NRM leaders supported a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, and that’s how NRM lost Ssempijja Bamulangaki in the last election. They are greedy and fighting for positions.”
The NRM youth coordinator revealed that the party has already identified voluntary teams that will traverse regions where President Museveni has completed his campaigns to promote and explain the NRM manifesto to voters.
“These teams will go door-to-door to help people understand the NRM manifesto more deeply and appreciate its achievements,” Ssewava noted.
On the issue of political campaigns, Ssewava urged the police not to block opposition rallies, including those of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.
“Blocking opposition candidates only gives them sympathy votes,” he said. “They should be allowed to hold their rallies because some of them don’t even have a clear manifesto.”
Ssewava also called upon the youth in Mbale District and Mbale City to turn up in large numbers on Monday to attend President Museveni’s rally at Maluku grounds, where the NRM manifesto will be discussed in detail.
Speaking on the same issue, Hudu Hussein, the NRM flagbearer for Mbale City North Division, commended the mobilisation committee for its efforts, saying Monday’s rally would be a historic event.
“Kyagulanyi knows deep down that he will lose the election because what he sells in his manifesto cannot match President Museveni’s,” Hudu said. “The NRM manifesto is practical, transformative, and tested not just words like those of Kyagulanyi.”
Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, the NRM flagbearer for the Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament seat, said that once re-elected, she will advocate for government support to add value to coffee production.
“The Bugisu region is known for coffee farming, and one of our priorities is to ensure that the President helps us acquire machines that can add value to coffee,” Wanyoto said.
President Museveni, who entered the Bugisu sub-region on Wednesday, continues to rally support for his re-election. He is expected to hold two major rallies on Saturday one in Bududa in the morning and another in Namisindwa in the afternoon.
