NRM network urges Museveni to reject embracing 'Opposition failures'

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President Yoweri Museveni has been urged to desist from recruiting rejected Opposition failures. The move, according to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Revolutionary Network, will prevent resentment among loyal NRM party members. The members claim the Opposition members are only joining NRM for financial gain.

The group calling itself patriotic youth cadres, says the growing trend of political fishing not only demoralises loyal cadres who have defended and built the movement for decades, but also creates divisionism among party members.

“We strongly disagree with the emerging practice of recruiting politically rejected Opposition figures and publicly parading them as converts, only to position them for government appointments or strategic placement within the state structures,” network member Sylivia Kemirembe says.

The call follows the recent conversion of outgoing Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi, who was defeated in the recent General Elections. Nsibambi has officially joined the ruling NRM.

Ivan Mwijukye, the NRM youth cadre addressing journalists as Sylivia Kemirembe, and another NRM supporter look on during a press conference at Katikati Restaurant on March 2, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)

While NRM remains open to all Ugandans who genuinely subscribe to ideology, Kemirembe noted that opportunistic political crossovers driven by convenience rather than conviction pose significant risks for the future of the NRM.

Since the NRM was built on transactional politics, sacrifice, discipline and ideological clarity, Kemirembe revealed that rewarding political convenience over proven loyalty creates frustration within the rank and weakens internal morale.

“The movement must prioritise ideological commitment over numerical theatrics. Though we have been preaching the NRM gospel and mobilising for President Museveni for long, it is unfair for top NRM leaders to recruit opposition political failures, and appoint them for juicy positions, yet we have been working foot and nail to attain such opportunities.” Kemirembe said.

She made the plea while addressing the media at Katikati Restaurant in Kampala on March 2, 2026.

Public debate

Besides recruiting political failures, during the press conference, NRM Revolutionary Network also called for public debates among parliamentary Speaker candidates, saying debates would showcase candidates’ vision for a people-centred parliament, enable members of parliament to prioritise substance over alliances, promote transparency and issue-based competition and strengthen public trust.

So far, five people, including incumbent Anita Among, justice minister Norbert Mao, and housing state minister Persis Namuganza, have shown interest in vying for the position.

"Anyone interested in becoming a Speaker should be subjected to a public debate, and during the debate, the current speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, should tell the public what she has done to curb corruption, embezzlement of public funds, among others,” Network member Jude Wanume Mugagga said.

Mugagga added that the process of selecting its leadership should reflect openness, intellectual rigour and accountability.