The National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s dominant political party led by President Yoweri Museveni, suffered a significant setback in the recent Kawempe North by-election, a seat vacated following the death of Mohammed Ssegirinya.
This unexpected defeat has ignited a wave of scrutiny into the party’s internal dynamics, revealing a complex web of intrigue, leadership shortcomings, and grassroots disconnect.
While the NRM has enjoyed widespread support for four decades, the Kawempe North loss points to a growing disconnect between the party’s leadership and its electorate.
Insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, paint a picture of internal disarray and strategic missteps.
A core concern raised is the perceived inactivity of key NRM figures.
“Many NRM leaders are failing to fulfill their responsibilities, they prioritize personal gain over grassroots mobilization, remaining confined to their offices instead of engaging with the people,” one source alleged.
This lack of on-the-ground presence was starkly contrasted with the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) approach.
The source highlighted NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya’s active campaign presence in Kawempe North, questioning the conspicuous absence of NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
“Where was Richard Todwong? His role is to lead the party’s operations, not to observe campaigns from afar,” the source criticized.
Furthermore, the allocation of campaign funds sparked controversy. The decision to channel resources through the NRM Director for Mobilization, Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde, reportedly alienated other mobilization groups within the party.
This led to internal rivalries, diverting attention and energy away from a unified campaign strategy.
“Instead of consolidating their teams and developing a cohesive plan, they engaged in internal power struggles,”
“This infighting directly contributed to their electoral defeat,”the source explained.
Adding to the NRM’s woes, local councilors like “Ivan Mutebi” (not real Name ) expressed frustration with the party’s perceived complacency.
“Our leaders only become visible during presidential appearances, giving a false impression of hard work, they rely on the popularity of the President instead of actively promoting the party,” Mutebi stated.
He added that People are becoming increasingly aware of this, and they are expressing their dissatisfaction at the ballot box.
Observers also suggested that the chosen candidate for the by-election appeared to be misaligned with the prevailing political dynamics on ground and the specific needs of the constituency.
“There’s a perception that the NRM’s flag bearer’s profile didn’t resonate with the local population, who arguably require a representative fluent in their “ghetto language” and not a more strategic choice perceived as overly diplomatic for this particular environment,” the observer stated.
Beyond internal conflicts and poor candidate selection, the by-election results also reflect broader corruption issues, which has failed service delivery a significant role in voter sentiment.
Independent sources on the ground suggest that the NRM’s failure to address these issues effectively contributed to its electoral setback.
The Kawempe North by-election serves as a stark reminder that the NRM’s long-standing dominance is not guaranteed.
The party must address its internal divisions, strengthen its grassroots engagement, and respond to the evolving needs of the electorate if it hopes to maintain its political stronghold.
The defeat highlights that relying on past glories and presidential popularity is no longer a sustainable strategy in a rapidly changing political landscape.
