By Nathan Eyagu

Soroti City — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has issued a stern warning to its leaders in the Teso sub-region, urging them to remain loyal to the party and reject independent candidates as the party prepares for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s upcoming campaign tour in the region.

The warning came during a high-level mobilisation meeting at Hurst Resort in Soroti City, which brought together party flag bearers, district chairpersons, security officials, and other key stakeholders. The meeting, organized by the NRM Secretariat, aimed to strengthen party structures, ensure unity, and strategize for the President’s visit.

NRM Director for Mobilisation, Hon. Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, commended David Calvin Echodu, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, for his coordination efforts in the region. She emphasized that the meeting’s purpose was to prepare the party structures for massive turnouts during the President’s rallies and to provide guidance on party loyalty.

“The reason we are here today is to engage with NRM structures in the Teso sub-region as we prepare for the President’s visit. After Karamoja, he will be coming to Teso, and we want to see large numbers at every rally, just as we have seen in other regions,” Sseninde said.

Sseninde highlighted the dangers of supporting independent candidates, describing the practice as divisive and harmful to the party’s cohesion. She urged party leaders to remain committed to NRM, warning that backing independents would weaken the party and benefit the opposition.

“We must be loyal to the NRM and stop double-faced politics. Supporting independents divides our strength and risks our gains,” she noted.

“The NRM constitution does not recognize independents. Those who lost in the primaries should unite behind the official flag bearers for the good of the party.”

She further appealed to NRM supporters across Teso to vote for party candidates and resist being misled by campaigns promoting independent contenders. Sseninde underscored that unity, discipline, and loyalty are crucial to maintaining NRM’s political dominance in the region.

In his remarks, David Calvin Echodu, the Vice NRM Chairperson for Eastern Region, confirmed that President Museveni will begin his rallies in Kapelebyong District at the end of the week before proceeding to other districts in Teso. He called on all mobilization teams to ensure a smooth campaign process and high participation during the President’s visit.

“I am confident and excited to work with all of you. After the primaries, there are still differences among members, but now is the time to heal and focus on one purpose — ensuring a decisive victory for the President and the NRM in Teso and Eastern Uganda,” Echodu said.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from NRM leaders to strengthen grassroots structures, foster reconciliation among members, and deliver overwhelming support for the President’s forthcoming visit.