By Nathan Eyagu 

Soroti City — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has criticized National Resistance Movement (NRM) members who choose to contest as independent candidates after losing party primaries, describing the move as political betrayal that risks weakening the ruling party’s support base.

Speaking on Tuesday evening at the State Lodge in Soroti City during a media engagement, ahead of concluding his Teso Sub-Region campaign activities with a rally in Bukedea District on Wednesday, Museveni warned that NRM members who choose to run as independents are creating unnecessary divisions within communities as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.

“For an NRM person to stand as an independent, we can lose to the opposition,” Museveni said. “It is really criminal and politically bankrupt. You are not seeing far. You disturb our people who want unity and peace.”

The President noted that villagers often become confused and uncomfortable when they are forced to choose between competing candidates from the same party, leading to tension and fractured support.

“These are all NRM. Now you are forcing them to choose sides — pro-Museveni, pro-somebody else. People in the villages don’t want those controversies. They want peace,” he added.

Museveni defended the party's primary system, which involves lining up behind candidates in broad daylight, saying the method promotes transparency and allows both candidates and observers to verify results.

“You line up behind the candidate, you count, everyone sees,” he said. “So, how do you cheat in that situation? Unless you bribed the registrar to alter the figures on paper.”

He urged candidates who feel aggrieved to present concrete evidence of malpractice, assuring that allegations of fraud will be treated as criminal cases where necessary.

“We shall act criminally against anyone who cheats. That person will go to jail,” Museveni warned.

Earlier remarks in Soroti City by NRM Director for Mobilisation, Rose Mary Sseninde while addressing media, reinforced the party’s stance. Speaking at a regional stakeholders’ meeting at Hursey Resort, Sseninde criticized those campaigning as independent candidates while still claiming affiliation to NRM.

“Those calling themselves NRM Independents are confusing the public,” Sseninde said. “Once you decide to run as an independent, you are no longer representing the party. Our supporters must stand with the official flag bearers.”

She further cautioned party leaders allegedly financing or promoting independent candidates, saying such acts undermine party structures and could attract disciplinary measures.

The renewed push to rein in breakaway candidates highlights the party’s concern about maintaining cohesive support, especially in regions considered key to its national electoral strategy.

Museveni concluded by urging members to resolve disputes through internal mechanisms rather than through parallel political campaigns.

“Let us solve problems inside the party, not outside,” he stated.