President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has advised National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament who lost in the recent party primaries not to contest as independents in the forthcoming general elections, warning that such actions could divide votes and benefit the opposition.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with NRM MPs and independent legislators who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ruling party at State Lodge Arua, President Museveni said unity was crucial for the party’s continued dominance. The meeting was attended by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.
“Where there are NRM and opposition candidates, I wouldn’t advise you to come as independent because if you do and things go wrong, you will be the one to blame,” Museveni said. “Where there are only NRMs in the race, even there I would prefer you use the law, so that you don’t confuse our people.”
Some MPs claimed during the meeting that they were cheated in the primaries, alleging that their rivals altered results to be declared winners. President Museveni acknowledged their frustration but urged them to respond with discipline rather than anger.
“In this case, if you are annoyed and stand as an independent, and then the other flagbearer is there, what if you divide the vote and the opposition takes the constituency? How will you forgive yourself?” he asked.
He reminded them that during the last election, the NRM lost over 21 parliamentary seats in Buganda due to divided votes between official party candidates and independents. “You should ask yourself, should I be involved in dividing NRM? For me, I wouldn’t do that,” he added.
The President advised those who suspect irregularities to use legal means to challenge the outcomes rather than defecting from the party. “If it was an electoral offense, why don’t you get me the facts? If they altered the results, we can act criminally against the people involved. Crime has no time limit,” he said.
Museveni also cautioned politicians against joining politics while financially unstable, saying economic empowerment should precede political ambition. “You shouldn’t join politics when you are poor,” he advised. “Take a soft loan, build yourself economically, then come back when you are financially stable. Don’t go into debt because of politics.”
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Ministers, and members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).