President Museveni has said that independent candidates who broke away after the NRM primaries are still members of the ruling party, describing their decision to run as legal but cautioning them against dividing party support.
Speaking to journalists during a press briefing in Karamoja on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, President Museveni noted that while contesting as an independent candidate is allowed by law, the NRM still regards such individuals as part of the party.
He explained that the NRM primary elections are not yet completely foolproof and that in some areas, irregularities occurred.
“I met the independents and told them not to put themselves in problems. They should put the party first,” the President said.
Museveni urged independent candidates not to split NRM votes, warning that doing so could give opposition candidates an advantage in the 2026 general elections.
He revealed that several registrars who rigged the party primaries were arrested and jailed, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring fairness in the internal party process.
“We want the process to be genuine, and those who lost unfairly should have presented their evidence to the tribunal,” Museveni said.
The President, however, cautioned that he does not want independent candidates to dominate campaigns at the expense of the party’s unity and success.
The President’s message comes barely a week after the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, issued a directive to independent candidates who are NRM-leaning to stop using the party’s symbols, colors, and emblem. Todwong said such practices confuse the public and undermine the party’s integrity, as voters may mistake the independents for official NRM flag bearers.
Museveni’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenge within the ruling party as it works to maintain cohesion ahead of the 2026 general elections.
