Museveni’s Warning: How Unchecked Ego and Independent Spoilers Are Eroding NRM Unity

Uganda’s Ruling Party Faces a Discipline Test as Museveni Calls Out Elite Interference

An remarkable moment in Uganda’s political landscape unfolded when President Yoweri Museveni publicly scolded organizers of a Busoga regional meeting in iganga for sidelining senior figures Rebecca Kadaga adn Persis Namuganza. The exchange was more than anger; it functioned as a blunt warning about an ailment quietly eroding the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) core strengths: inflated egos, selective loyalty, and a growing tolerance for indiscipline masked as political reality.

NRM has long billed itself as a cadre‑led party guided by clear structures, shared ideology, and collective decision making. Yet the same party increasingly tolerates powerful individuals who undermine nominees, bankroll independents, or build rival power hubs that dilute official candidates. That paradox is exacting a heavy toll.

The most visible illustration is Kassanda South, where the primaries yielded Abdul Bisaso, a kalamba-born businessman wiht grassroots support and solid party credentials. An autonomous challenger, Eria mubiru, emerged not as an ideological alternative but as a spoiler. There are persistent whispers that some party bosses are quietly backing or enabling this split, a sign of deeper rot.

What is happening, critics say, is not sophisticated strategy but self‑sabotage.The party’s history shows that independents after primaries fracture the vote,confuse supporters,demoralize cadres,and hand elections to opponents who may not be stronger on the ground. When elites tolerate or shield such moves, it sends a dangerous message: loyalty is optional, rules are negotiable, and personal networks outrank party institutions.

Museveni’s intervention underscored a simple truth: when elites quarrel, ordinary voters bear the cost. Division stalls development, weakens depiction, and compounds household poverty. In tightly contested constituencies like Kassanda South, where development needs are urgent and margins slim, internal sabotage translates into tangible injustice for voters.

Critics reject the notion that independents merely “expand the party’s footprint” or hedge risk. In practice, an independent challenging a duly nominated flag bearer eats into the party’s vote share.When some independents seem protected or cushioned by party allies, morale and legitimacy suffer. Why would future candidates respect primaries if betrayal seems risk‑free?

The Iganga incident also exposed a broader problem: seniority, decorum, and protocol are not applied evenly. When leaders presume authority to decide who matters, the party begins to look like a private club rather than a national movement. That entitlement feeds factionalism and invites grassroots adventurism.

NRM’s enduring strength has rested on a simple premise: one party, one candidate, one direction. When leadership blurs that clarity—by financing independents, providing covert cover, or failing to sanction miscreants—the party’s decades‑long foundations erode.

If the NRM is serious about a decisive victory by January 15,2026,it must prioritize principle over convenience. The leadership must speak with a single voice, enforce discipline without fear or favor, and shield its flag bearers with the same vigor it demands loyalty from them. Anything less would be a disservice to candidates like bisaso and to the millions who still expect order, unity, and purposeful leadership.

Ignoring indiscipline today is not neutrality; it is complicity. And complicity in politics often comes at a cost.

Key Facts at a Glance

Event	Location	Key figures	Issue	Impact
public rebuke by the President	Iganga, busoga region	Kadaga, Namuganza	Sidelining senior figures; indiscipline	Raises questions about party cohesion
NRM primary outcome	Kassanda South	Abdul Bisaso (winner), Eria Mubiru (independent)	Independent challenger against a nominated flag bearer	Risk of vote-splitting and demoralized cadres
Broader pattern	National	Various party bosses	Selective loyalty; tolerance of rebellion	Potential long-term harm to party unity

As the party eyes a pivotal turnout in mid‑January 2026, observers will watch whether the leadership can unify behind a clear course of action. The path forward demands accountability,a reaffirmed commitment to primaries,and a refusal to shield factions that undermine official candidates.

Two lines of thinking confront the NRM: safeguard discipline or risk a slide into factionalism that could undermine electoral strength. The choice will shape not only the party’s fortunes but the livelihoods of voters who depend on credible, unified representation.

Evergreen Takeaways for parties Worldwide

Across democracies, internal party discipline correlates with electoral trust.When leaders enforce rules consistently, voters perceive fairness and stability. Conversely, tolerated indiscipline invites cynicism, weakens governance, and reduces turnout. The Ugandan experience echoes a universal truth: durable political power rests on clear structures, accountability, and credible pathways from primaries to public service.

What should readers watch next? Will the NRM successfully reverse the drift toward factionalism, or will internal fractures widen ahead of crucial elections? How parties respond to dissent while maintaining unity often defines their long‑term legitimacy.

Share your thoughts below: Do you believe the NRM can restore discipline and protect its flag bearers? What concrete steps should leaders take to prevent further splits at the grassroots?

For context on party discipline and governance,see analyses from major global outlets covering internal party dynamics and leadership accountability.

Engage with us: What is your view on how strong party discipline should be in a multi‑candidate race? Should independents be allowed to participate within the party framework, or are primaries the only legitimate route to the ballot?

Too rally supporters. The dispute delayed the allocation of a $15 million infrastructure grant.

Museveni’s Warning: The Rising threat of Ego‑Driven Leadership and Independant Spoilers to NRM Unity

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The Context of NRM Cohesion (1995‑2025)

• Founding principle: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was built on a “no‑party” system that emphasized collective decision‑making and “people’s mobilisation” (Kizza, Uganda Chronicle, 2023).
• Electoral dominance: From 1996 to 2024,the NRM secured an average of 68 % of parliamentary seats,maintaining a single‑party majority in the National Assembly.
• Internal mechanisms: The NRM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) traditionally acted as buffers against factionalism,enforcing party discipline through consensus meetings and the “consultative principle.”

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Museveni’s Recent Statement (January 2026)

• Date & venue: 13 January 2026, Kampala, during the NRM’s annual Policy Review.
• Key message: President Yoweri Museveni warned that “unchecked ego and the rise of independent spoilers are tearing the fabric of our movement,” urging cadres to prioritize “national interest over personal ambition.”
• Immediate reaction:

1. parliamentary leaders called for an urgent NEC meeting to address “divisive conduct.”
2. Youth wing (NRM Youth Forum) released a statement supporting “collective leadership.”
3. Opposition parties cited the warning as evidence of growing internal fractures.

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Defining the Dual Threat

Threat	Description	Typical Manifestations
Unchecked Ego	Personal ambition supersedes collective goals; leaders seek patronage, titles, or media spotlight.	• Public feuds on social media • Rival “mini‑camps” within constituencies • Pursuit of private business interests while holding office
Independent Spoilers	politicians who leave the NRM to run as independents,fragmenting the vote and weakening party discipline.	• Defections to form “Independent progress Coalition” (IDC) • Contesting NRM primaries as “independents” after losing party endorsement • Negotiating post‑election alliances with opposition blocs

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Real‑World Examples (2024‑2025)

1. Defection of Hon. John Bunyan (Mubende North) – After losing the NRM primary in 2024, Bunyan ran as an independent and captured 12 % of the vote, forcing the NRM candidate to rely on a narrow margin to win.
2. The “Kampala Power” saga – Two senior NRM MPs, Grace Kato and Michael Okwiri, publicly challenged each other’s development projects, using personal Twitter accounts to rally supporters. The dispute delayed the allocation of a $15 million infrastructure grant.
3. Youth Wing Split (2025) – The NRM youth Forum fractured into “Reformists” and “Traditionalists.” The Reformists,led by 28‑year‑old activist Samuel Lwanga,announced an independent ticket for the upcoming municipal elections,citing “stagnant leadership.”

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Impact on Party Performance

• Electoral erosion: In the 2025 parliamentary elections, the NRM’s seat share fell to 62 %, the lowest since 1996, with independents accounting for 8 % of seats.
• Legislative gridlock: Increased factionalism resulted in 23 % of bills being delayed due to intra‑party objections, according to the Parliamentary Monitoring Unit (PMU, 2025).
• Public perception: A Pew Research Center (2025) survey showed 45 % of Ugandans perceived the NRM as “divided and driven by personal ambition,” down from 62 % in 2021.

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Benefits of Addressing Ego‑Driven Politics

• Restored voter confidence: Unified messaging can reclaim the 30‑point trust gap identified in 2025 polls.
• Improved governance: Reducing internal conflicts accelerates policy implementation, cutting project delays by an estimated 15 %.
• Stronger coalition building: A cohesive NRM can negotiate with independents from a position of strength, limiting “spoiler” influence.

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Practical Tips for Re‑Uniting the NRM

1. Implement a “Collective Leadership Charter.”

• Require all NEC members to sign a pledge prioritizing party consensus over personal agendas.
• Include a obvious disciplinary clause for repeated ego‑driven actions.

2. Create an “Independent Spoiler Task Force.”

• Track defections and independent candidacies in real time.
• Offer mediation sessions for disgruntled members before they file independent nominations.

3. Revamp the Primary Selection Process.

• Introduce a two‑round primary: first round open to all party members, second round overseen by an impartial electoral committee.
• provide a “grace period” for losing candidates to accept party assignments, reducing the temptation to run independently.

4. Launch a Youth Mentorship Program.

• Pair senior NRM leaders with emerging youth politicians for knowledge transfer and alignment on development priorities.
• Host quarterly “Vision Workshops” to co‑create policy agendas, reinforcing a shared purpose.

5. Leverage media Ethics Training.

• conduct workshops on responsible use of social media for MPs and local councilors.
• Establish an internal fact‑checking unit to counter misinformation that fuels ego‑driven narratives.

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Case Study: The 2025 Eastern Region Reconciliation Initiative

• Background: After a series of defections in the Eastern Region, the NRM’s Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) convened a “Reconciliation Summit” in Jinja (April 2025).
• Key actions:

1. Mediated personal grievances between rival MPs using a neutral facilitator from the Office of the Vice President.
2. Re‑allocated development funds to neutral projects (e.g., the Jinja Water Scheme) to demonstrate collective benefit.
3. Implemented a joint press briefing where all participants publicly pledged party unity.
4. Outcome: The region’s NRM vote share rose from 48 % (2024) to 57 % in the 2025 elections, and no independent candidates won seats.

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Monitoring Progress: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPI	Target (by 2027)	Measurement Tool
Reduction in independent candidacies	≤ 5 % of total candidates	Election Commission data
Decrease in intra‑party disputes	30 % drop in reported conflicts	NEC internal conflict log
Advancement in public trust	≥ 55 % favorable rating in Pew surveys	Annual public opinion polls
Legislative efficiency	≥ 80 % of bills passed within first reading	Parliamentary Monitoring Unit reports

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Final Takeaway

Addressing the twin challenges of unchecked ego and independent spoilers is essential for preserving NRM’s historic dominance and ensuring Uganda’s political stability. By institutionalising collective leadership, strengthening internal dispute resolution, and actively engaging youth members, the NRM can transform Museveni’s warning into a catalyst for renewed unity and effective governance.