By James Alomu 

SOROTI - Tensions are rising within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Soroti City, as a number of party supporters voice growing frustration over the selection of parliamentary and local council candidates, accusing the leadership of imposing outsiders with little community connection.

In an inclusive interview, several members who requested anonymity due to fear of party reprisal claimed that NRM is increasingly favoring candidates from Kampala or abroad, sidelining local leaders who have long been engaged in grassroots work.

“These people just show up with bags of money during campaigns,” said one supporter. “They think because we’re in the village, we’ll be easily bought. But we’re not stupid. We know who has been here with us and who hasn’t.”

The group alleges that these so-called “money-throwing strangers” often disappear after elections, failing to deliver on promises or maintain any meaningful presence in the community. They argue that this trend is one of the key reasons why NRM continues to underperform in the Teso sub-region during general elections.

Another source pointed out that most of these candidates are children of the wealthy elite who see political office as a way to expand personal influence rather than serve the public.

“They don’t understand our problems, and they don’t try to,” the supporter said. “We need leaders who have grown with the people, not those who only remember Soroti during election time.”

The comments reflect a broader crisis of confidence in the party’s approach to local representation. While the NRM remains Uganda’s dominant political force, internal dissatisfaction like this suggests a disconnect between national party structures and grassroots realities.

Political analysts note that failure to address these concerns could weaken the NRM’s standing in traditionally competitive areas, especially as the opposition continues to gain traction among young and disillusioned voters.

Despite the criticisms, the NRM leadership has yet to publicly respond to the claims raised by its Soroti supporters. As the political landscape evolves, party insiders may be forced to reconsider their candidate selection strategy if they hope to retain influence in the region.