Kampala, Uganda: A group of nine independent-leaning Members of Parliament have expressed interest in working with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), in a move that could further consolidate the ruling party’s dominance in the 12th Parliament.
The MPs — Esther Achom (Serere), Peter Ojiji (Pingire), Mercy Kanyesigye (National Female Youth MP), Rose Mutonyi, Ronald Mutego, Emmanuel Illukol, Anthony Tumusiime, Spellanza Baguma, and Richard Ssenteza — were on Wednesday welcomed to the NRM headquarters in Kampala by Anita Among, who also serves as the party’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female).
Speaking during the meeting, Speaker Among applauded the independent MPs for showing willingness to cooperate with the ruling party.
“We know some of you participated in the primaries but did not succeed and later stood as independents. You were fortunate enough to win the vote. We thank you for showing interest in working with the mighty party,” Among said.
Ms Among also credited the group for contributing to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 2026 victory and assured them that the NRM welcomes collaboration.
On her part, Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko said the party has an open policy of working with all elected leaders, noting that Parliament has 67 independents, 54 of whom previously contested in NRM primaries.
“As our policy in NRM, we work with everybody. I thank those who have shown interest in signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on how we are to cooperate in the next five years,” she said.
She clarified that once members choose to run as independents after losing party primaries, they are no longer eligible for party endorsement or financial support.
“When they stand as independents, they do not get our flag and we do not canvass votes for them. Financially, only NRM flag bearers were supported,” Namayanja said.
On what could be the legal complications to do with the sought cooperation, the NRM Director for Legal Services, Enoch Barata, explained that the arrangement does not amount to crossing from independent status to full NRM membership.
“The general idea of this cooperation is not that one has changed their party to NRM, but that we enter into an agreement to cooperate on several issues, including supporting resolutions of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus,” Barata said.
He added that once the MPs are duly gazetted and sworn in, they will be able to formally sign cooperation MOUs with the NRM.
The development comes as the ruling party consolidates its majority in the 12th Parliament. Political analysts say cooperation agreements with independents could bolster NRM’s legislative strength, particularly in caucus votes and key parliamentary resolutions.
NRM leaders framed the move as a step toward advancing constituency interests and national development.
“NRM is a mass party, and we welcome all ideas that will move our people and country forward,” Barata said.
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