The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has called on members who lost the party flag in the upcoming Local Council One (LC1) chairperson elections to abandon independent bids and support the party's official candidates.
State Minister for Kampala and Nakaseke Central MP Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye said party unity was crucial if the NRM was to secure victory in the July 28 village chairperson elections, warning that divisions could hand an advantage to the opposition.
Kyofatogabye made the remarks during a regional NRM leaders' meeting at Luweero Guest House, which brought together party officials from the Greater Luweero sub-region, comprising Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts, to strategise for the polls.
The meeting heard that several NRM members who failed to secure the party ticket had opted to contest as independents, with some reportedly commanding stronger grassroots support than the party's official flag bearers.
Despite this, Kyofatogabye insisted that only officially endorsed candidates should receive the party's backing.
"We want our official candidates because they are the ones who will implement the NRM manifesto and monitor government programmes such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other initiatives. The person we trust is the one carrying the party flag. Those who missed it should wait for another opportunity," he said.
Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, who is leading the party's mobilisation campaign in the Greater Luweero sub-region, urged residents to vote for NRM candidates, saying the party had delivered key government programmes and services.
"President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Chairperson of the NRM, sent us to mobilise people to participate in the elections by voting for NRM candidates. We ask the people of Luweero to support us because the President, ministers and the majority of leaders are from NRM. Electing leaders from another party would only undermine government programmes," Kiwanda said.
He added that President Museveni had directed party leaders to rebuild support for the NRM in the Greater Luweero region and strengthen unity among members.
Kiwanda said mobilisation meetings would begin on Tuesday, during which village leaders would receive campaign materials and facilitation to boost mobilisation efforts ahead of the elections.
The LC1 village chairperson elections are scheduled for July 28.
Luweero District NRM Chairperson Sam Buchanan expressed confidence that the ruling party would register a strong performance.
"Luweero performed well in the LC3 elections because we prepared adequately. I expect nothing less than an 85 per cent victory in the village chairperson elections," Buchanan said.
Leaders attending the meeting pledged to intensify mobilisation across Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts to secure victory in both the LC1 chairperson and women representatives' elections.
