Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has led a successful reconciliation meeting between Alex Byarugaba Bakunda and Mr Mari Asensio, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for Isingiro South, following disputes that arose from the party’s recent primary elections.
The meeting, held in Mbarara District, was convened on the directive of NRM Party Chairman and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
It drew senior party officials, including NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda Eng. Jonard Kamugasha and Lt (Rtd) Moses Mushabe, the chairperson of the NRM Veterans League and NRM Isingiro District Chairperson, alongside other local leaders.
Tayebwa said the mediation aimed to restore unity and strengthen the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2026 polls. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that Hon. Byarugaba had agreed to fully back the official NRM flag bearer in the forthcoming parliamentary race.
“I am very happy that we resolved all the issues, and as a result, Hon. Bakunda agreed to back the party flag bearer in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. This is a positive development that puts us, as a party, in a much stronger position,” Tayebwa said.
He added that the meeting resolved to focus all efforts on mobilizing support for President Museveni and other NRM candidates across the region.
“Effective today, all efforts will now be directed toward canvassing support for the President and NRM flag bearers,” Tayebwa noted.
Isingiro South remains one of the NRM’s strongest bases, where President Museveni secured 96 percent of the vote in the last general election.
Tayebwa said the party intends to build on that record, remarking, “There is no reason why we should not achieve 100 percent come January.”
He also commended Hon. Byarugaba for choosing not to contest as an independent candidate, describing the decision as a demonstration of loyalty and commitment to party ideals.
“The NRM stands for unity, and whenever we succeed in reconciling rival groups that emerged within our large family after the primaries, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction,” Tayebwa said.
The Isingiro South reconciliation is part of the NRM’s wider strategy to resolve internal divisions arising from primary contests and consolidate its support base ahead of the 2026 general elections.