President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament who lost in the recent party primaries against contesting as independents in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking during a meeting with NRM MPs and independent legislators who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the party at State Lodge Arua, President Museveni advised the losers to remain loyal to the party and avoid dividing its support base. The meeting was also attended by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.
“Where there are both NRM and opposition candidates, I would not advise you to stand as an independent, because if things go wrong, you will have yourself to blame,” the President said. “Even where the race is between NRMs alone, it is better to use the law instead of confusing our people.”
Some MPs at the meeting complained that they were unfairly defeated in the primaries, alleging that results were manipulated and that the declared winners did not win genuinely.
In response, President Museveni acknowledged that some of them may have been provoked by selfish individuals, but he urged them to respond wisely rather than emotionally.
“In this situation, if you get angry and decide to run as an independent while the official NRM flagbearer is also contesting, what happens if the opposition takes advantage and wins? How will you forgive yourself?” he asked.
The President reminded the legislators that during the previous general election, the NRM lost more than 21 parliamentary seats in Buganda due to vote splitting between official flagbearers and independent candidates from the same party.
“This is something you should think about carefully,” he warned. “Should you be part of dividing the NRM? I wouldn’t do that myself.”
Museveni added that if a constituency has multiple NRM candidates and only one opposition contestant, the situation becomes even more risky. “Where there are only NRMs competing, I can’t say you should go and fight it out. I’ll keep quiet, but eventually, I will hand the flag to the official NRM candidate,” he stated.
He further advised those who feel they were cheated to pursue justice through legal channels. “If you have evidence of electoral malpractice, bring me the facts. We can take legal action against those who tampered with the results, even if it takes a year. Crimes have no expiry date,” the President emphasized.
However, he cautioned that if a candidate lacks proof because their agents were compromised, it is a lesson to strengthen their political groundwork. “Relying on mercenaries as your agents is very risky. Always work with people who share your vision,” he said.
The President also urged aspiring politicians to build financial stability before entering politics. “You shouldn’t join politics when you are poor,” he advised. “Government can inject more funds into the parliamentary SACCOs to help you take soft loans, build your economic base, and return when you are financially strong. If you have about Shs400 million, use around 40 percent for politics, not all of it.”
He discouraged candidates from taking on heavy debts to fund campaigns, saying this approach would promote a more sustainable and stable political leadership.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, several ministers, and members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).
