The National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretary general Richard Todwong has warned newly elected Women Council chairpersons and other party leaders against supporting independent candidates in tomorrow’s LC 1 elections.
Todwong issued the warning in Nwoyawhere he said the party had adopted a zero tolerance approach to indiscipline and would take action against leaders found campaigning for candidates contesting against officially endorsed NRM flag bearers.
“As a party and as a system, we are focusing on supporting our flag bearers. We do not expect any leader to contest against a flag bearer or mobilise support against a flag bearer,” Todwong said.
His remarks come amid reports from parts of Kampala and Wakiso that some individuals are presenting themselves as NRM flag bearers despite lacking official party endorsement. Others are reportedly backing independent candidates after losing the party primaries.
Todwong said all genuine NRM candidates had been officially endorsed and their records submitted to the Electoral Commission, making it easy to identify legitimate flag bearers.
“We know our flag bearers because they have all been officially endorsed. We have their records and the lists submitted to the Electoral Commission. Anyone claiming to be an NRM flag bearer should be able to prove that,” he said.
He acknowledged that internal disagreements had prompted some party members to sponsor rival candidates in a few areas. However, he said the NRM would not tolerate actions that undermine party unity.
“We know there are a few places where, because of internal wrangles, some members are sponsoring other candidates. That is unacceptable because our focus is on ensuring our official flag bearers succeed,” Todwong said.
Todwong also revealed that some party leaders implicated in supporting rival candidates had already been asked to step aside while investigations continue.
“Those already holding leadership positions have been written to, and some have since stepped aside because we do not want personal interests to interfere with the party’s objectives,” he said.
He called on NRM supporters across the country to turn up in large numbers for the LC1 elections, describing the village-level polls as one of the most important elections in the country’s governance system.
