Seninde Issues Stern Warning to NRM Members Running as Independents

By Bongo Charles

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has issued a strong warning to party members who are defying official directives by running as independent candidates, ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign tour of the Teso sub-region.

The warning was delivered today at Hursey Resort Hotel in Soroti City by NRM Director for Mobilisation Dr. Rose Mary Seninde during a meeting with district chairpersons, Members of Parliament, and party flag bearers.

She emphasised that members who choose to run independently after losing in party primaries are no longer representing the NRM and risk weakening the party’s unity and electoral strength.

Seninde specifically cited State Minister for Works and Transport Musa Ecweru and Foreign Affairs Minister Jay Jay Odongo, who are pursuing independent bids in their respective constituencies.

She also expressed concern about Flight Capt. Mike Mukula allegedly supporting his son, Rodney Akongel Mukula, an independent candidate for MP Soroti City East.

She urged all party leaders and supporters to back only officially endorsed NRM flag bearers, warning that divisions could negatively affect the party’s performance in the 2026 elections.

NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda David Calvin Echodu acknowledged the internal tensions but said reconciliation efforts are underway to bring all factions together before the President’s visit.

Echodu called on Teso leaders to prioritise unity, grassroots mobilisation, and ensuring a strong turnout to demonstrate the region’s loyalty to the party.

Seninde concluded that discipline and cohesion remain critical to securing victory for President Museveni and consolidating the NRM’s dominance in Eastern Uganda.