The NRM vice chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hamson Obua has rubbished claims that President Museveni recently gave a go-ahead to MPs who lost in the party primaries to stand as independents.
“The meeting was primarily meant for the NRM national chairperson to communicate the position of NRM and that of the central executive committee because this matter was discussed and a decision was taken,” Obua said.
“ The decision was that the NRM needs to reach out and persuade and appeal to its members who participated in the primaries but lost and are considering to come back and contest as independent candidates to reconsider their position such that they do not contest as independent.”
Obua was addressing journalists in Arua.
President Museveni recently met the MPs who lost in the party primaries and urged them to rally behind the flag bearers.
However, the MPs on Tuesday claimed that the president had given them a greenlight to stand as independents.
A statement from State House, dismissed the claims, quoting Museveni as having advised otherwise.
“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. 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,” he said.
“In this case if you are annoyed and stand as an independent, and then the other flagbearer is there, what if now you divide the vote and the opposition takes the constituency? How will you forgive yourself?”
Speaking on Wednesday, the party vice chairman for Northern Uganda re-echoed Museveni’s message to the MPs who lost in the primaries.
He said that if they run as independents, the party risks having its votes divided , giving chance to opposition MPs to triumph.
“So, the main purpose of the meeting was meant for the NRM national chairman to make this communication clear. I am happy that in that group there are people who even decided that they would not contest. The meeting was an appeal to persuade them not to stand and not a directive because we are alive of the constitutional provision under article 72 of our national constitution,” Obua said.
Article 72(IV) of the Constitution says a person is free to stand for an election as a candidate, independent of a political organisation or political party.
Obua however questioned the loyalty of the members who want to defy the party position.
“If you claim to be a member of NRM who participated in the internal democratic processes and you still say you are loyal to your party, what would be the problem of you listening to what your party is telling you? The implication may not be seen now but may even come in the future. Just imagine you defy your party and you contest and there is any future consideration. Imagine I defied the party, I contested. He listened to the party, he did not contest and there is any consideration between the two of us. Who must stand the higher chance? It would be him, not me.”
