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Kampala
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has directed all party leaders supporting or contesting as independent candidates against officially endorsed NRM flag bearers to immediately step aside from their positions within the party. In a memo dated October 22, 2025, signed by NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong Awany, the Secretariat warned that any individual holding a leadership position within the NRM who chooses to contest as an independent, or supports an independent against the official party flag bearer, must vacate their office to avoid conflicts of interest and internal sabotage.
“All individuals holding leadership positions within the NRM structures who choose to contest as independent candidates against the official NRM flag bearer at any level, or who are actively supporting and campaigning for an independent candidate against the NRM flag bearer, should immediately step aside from all roles and responsibilities associated with their office within the party,” the memo reads in part.
The directive adds that the next person in the hierarchy, as guided by the NRM Constitution, shall assume those responsibilities in an acting capacity to ensure “continuity and effective mobilisation” for the party’s official candidates.
The memo also warned individuals who are not duly declared NRM flag bearers against using the party’s flag, symbols, or other identifiers in their personal campaigns.
“Any person who is not a duly declared NRM flag bearer for any elective position is strictly prohibited from using the NRM flag, symbols, or any other identifiers of the party in their campaigns or related activities,” the statement adds. The Secretariat further cautioned that any independent candidate who violates this directive commits an offence under the Uganda Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006, for the unlawful use of the party’s registered symbols and identifiers.
Independent Candidates Must Keep a Distinct Identity
While acknowledging that some independents may wish to express support for the NRM presidential candidate, the memo insists they must do so without misrepresenting themselves as official party candidates.
“Independent candidates are advised that while they may choose to express support and campaign for the NRM presidential candidate and party chairman on their campaign materials, they must strictly ensure that only the official NRM symbol — the bus — is used to represent him,” Todwong stated.
The statement further directs that such independents should design campaign posters with two distinct sides — one showing their independent symbol, and another showing the NRM presidential flag bearer with the party’s official bus symbol — to avoid confusing voters.
Maintaining Party Discipline and Unity
According to the Secretary General, the directive aligns with the NRM’s core values of discipline, loyalty, and unity, and seeks to safeguard the integrity of its democratic processes.
“This decision is in line with the core values of discipline, loyalty, and unity that underpin the NRM, and is necessary to avoid conflict of interest and internal sabotage,” he noted.
Todwong urged all party members to respect and uphold the integrity of the NRM’s structures, symbols, and the democratic choices of its membership.
Curbing Growing Defiance Ahead of 2026 Polls
The memo comes amid growing reports of several NRM members opting to contest as independents after losing in the party’s internal primaries ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Some of these individuals have continued to use NRM colours and symbols in their campaign materials — a practice the Secretariat says misleads the public and undermines the party’s internal democracy.
The latest directive is seen as part of a broader strategy by the NRM leadership to tighten internal discipline and consolidate support behind officially endorsed candidates at all levels.
The memo was copied to the National Chairperson of the NRM, who is also the President of Uganda, as well as to NRM Regional Vice Chairpersons for enforcement.
Torch Media Africa
