The National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, has urged all NRM-leaning independents in Jinja City to step down in favor of official party flagbearers as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
Addressing NRM village chairpersons at a meeting held at Buwekula Village in Jinja Northern Division on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Alhaji Kigongo said independents dilute the ruling party’s influence and undermine its unity.
“I know there were some irregularities in the primaries, but we need to look to the future,” Kigongo said. “When you stand as independents, you destroy your own party and perhaps Uganda at large. Let’s learn to forgive and forget.”
He emphasized that the NRM Constitution does not recognize independents, noting that only officially endorsed flagbearers will receive the party’s full support and logistical backing.
Delivering a message from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Kigongo said the President wants all members to rally behind the NRM’s official candidates at every level to ensure a decisive victory in the Busoga subregion.
“The President sent me to tell you that he wants only party flagbearers to win this time round,” he said. “I encourage you to campaign for the NRM Presidential candidate and ensure a massive victory in Busoga.”
Kigongo commended Aminah Mirembe, the NRM Jinja Northern Division Publicity Secretary, for stepping down in favor of the official flagbearer for the Mafubira Northern Division Councillor seat.
“I had withdrawn from the race sometime back, but it wasn’t public,” Mirembe announced at the meeting. “When I heard that the NRM First National Vice Chairperson was in the area, I decided to use this opportunity to make my decision public.”
Kigongo appealed to all aggrieved members to resolve disputes internally rather than competing against the party. “We are all members of the same family. Let’s resolve our differences internally and move forward as one NRM,” he emphasized.
Also present was Haji Faruk Kirunda, Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization and Deputy Spokesperson for the President, who urged residents to vote for President Museveni and other NRM flagbearers if they wish to benefit from improved service delivery.
“In the last general elections, Jinja residents made a mistake by sending three opposition MPs to Parliament and only one from NRM,” Kirunda said. “That’s why our voice was weak at the centre. Let’s correct that in 2026.”
Kirunda further addressed public concerns about delays in upgrading Ambercourt and Mbulambuti roads, attributing the setback to individuals who bought land along the project sites and demanded excessive compensation.
He, however, assured residents that government remains committed to completing the road projects.
