By Andrew Victor Mawanda Naimanye
Aspiring Central Executive Committee (CEC) member for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Western Uganda, Jonard Asiimwe, has called for a reawakening within the party’s top decision-making body, urging it to return to its core mandate of strengthening internal structures and ideological clarity.
Speaking on NBS Morning Breeze on Wednesday, Asiimwe reflected on the evolving landscape of party politics within NRM, noting that the CEC race today is far more competitive than in the past, a sign, he suggested, of growing interest and possible maturity within the party.
“In the past, it wasn’t that competitive. But now, everyone wants to be the party. It could signify the growth of NRM,” he said.
However, Asiimwe expressed concern about what he termed "electoral hygiene," arguing that despite his long tenure within party structures, including serving as a flag bearer for Hoima City at parliamentary level , he sees lingering issues in how internal elections are conducted.
“I’ve been part of the NRM structures for long, so I’m not shocked by the CEC race. But the electoral hygiene is still lacking,” he said.
Asiimwe criticized the current state of the Central Executive Committee, likening it to a kitchen that’s been abandoned by its chefs.
“CEC is more of a kitchen or a laboratory, it’s where research is done, ideas are refined, and party direction is shaped. If you have a kitchen at home and you allow your chefs to be in the sitting room dining with guests, you shouldn’t be surprised if they serve burnt food.”
He believes the dual responsibilities held by many current CEC members, who also serve as ministers or MPs, contribute to a form of "absenteeism" that undermines the committee’s effectiveness.
“The CEC is not a public-facing position. It requires time, research, and internal coordination. I am in this race to remove the so-called absenteeism of the CEC.”
Asiimwe emphasized that CEC members must dedicate themselves fully to their role, suggesting that in future, they should be restricted from elective politics in order to focus on party-building efforts.
“You can't be a CEC member and spend five years without meeting your regional party heads. These structures should not only be active during elections.”
On the broader issue of campaign ethics, Asiimwe warned against monetizing internal campaigns, arguing that there is a distinction between having resources and misusing them.
“There is a difference between having money and misusing it. It’s not right to meet people and distribute money as a campaign tool.”
According to Asiimwe, the CEC's failure to regularly engage with lower party structures has also contributed to a dilution of the NRM's founding ideology.
“There is a misunderstanding of the ideology that explains why the party exists. Among the core reasons was to preserve unity and maintain loyalty. When we see this ideology being misunderstood, the CEC must step in and organise the house.”