NRM 2021 primaries losers raise concerns over 'Yellow Book'

A group of politicians who lost in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries during the 2021 general elections have raised concerns over the party's registration in the so-called "Yellow Book".

The group, Transformer Cadres Association Uganda, cite irregularities and misguidance in registration process, which they say calls for transparency.

The association's national coordinator Lt (Rtd) Moses Mugisha Magufuri, convened a news conference on Sunday evening at the White Horse Inn in Kabale to voice their grievances.

Amidst a backdrop of mounting concerns, the association raised several questions about the transparency and integrity of the registration process, particularly emphasizing their perception of misguidance by the NRM Secretariat.

“Central to our concerns is the contention that the Secretariat had purportedly provided inaccurate guidance to the NRM national chairperson President Museveni, regarding the registration procedure," Mugisha said.

Mugisha and other members of the association lamented what they perceived as a lack of consultation and transparency in the registration process.

They expressed disillusionment, saying their status as "first victims" affected by the Yellow Book in 2020, which reportedly led to their loss in NRM Primaries.

Innocent Rwakiset, a the associations coordinator in Rubanda District, underscored the profound impact of these alleged irregularities on their political aspirations and organizational integrity.

They called upon the NRM leadership to address their concerns earnestly, emphasizing the importance of fair and inclusive processes in fostering democratic participation and accountability.

Rwakiseta also advocated for the digital registration calling upon the NRM to take on the registration process electronically to avoid irregularities.

Izidro Tumisime, the Transformer Cadres Association Uganda coordinator for Kisoro District, said they were committed to upholding the principles of democracy and transparency.

He urged the NRM leadership to engage in dialogue and rectify the perceived flaws in the registration process.

State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi has provided clarification regarding the recent fresh registration process conducted in Rubanda District.

Musasizi, also the chairperson of the NRM in Rubanda, said Saturday evening at his residence in Kerere, Hamurwa Subcounty, that the concerns of the association and the party members regarding the necessity and timing of the registration exercise will be addressed.