Alhaji Kigongo Urges NRM-Leaning Independents to Step Down in Favor of Party Flagbearers

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo has implored all ruling party-leaning independent candidates in Jinja City to stand down in favor of the party’s flagbearers ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to Alhaji Kigongo, the independents should instead rally behind the official NRM flagbearers in a bid to consolidate the party’s strength and secure a sweeping victory in the Busoga subregion.

He made the remarks on Saturday 8th, November, 2025 while meeting all NRM village chairpersons in Jinja City at Buwekula village in Jinja Northern Division.

The meeting was also attended by Haji Faruk Kirunda, the Special Presidential Assistant-Press and Mobilization also Deputy Spokesperson for H.E the President.

Alhaji Kigongo acknowledged that the recent NRM primaries had some irregularities but urged members to put differences aside for the greater good of the party.

“I know there were some irregularities in the primaries but we need to look to the future. When you stand as independents, you destroy your own party and perhaps Uganda at large. Let’s learn to forgive and forget,” he urged.

Alhaji Kigongo emphasized that the NRM Constitution does not recognize independent candidates, adding that only officially endorsed flag bearers will receive full party backing.

He also delivered a message from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, urging members to rally behind NRM flagbearers at all levels and to vigorously campaign for the President’s re-election.

“The President sent me to tell you that he wants only party flagbearers to win this time round. I encourage you to campaign for the NRM Presidential candidate to ensure a massive victory in Busoga,” Alhaji Kigongo said.

Alhaji Kigongo also expressed gratitude to the NRM Jinja Northern Division Publicity secretary, Aminah Mirembe for standing down in favor of the party flagbearer for the position of Mafubira Northern Division Councillor.

During the meeting, Ms. Mirembe declared that she had withdrawn from the race and that she was going to fully support the party flagbearer.

“I had withdrawn from the race sometime back but this wasn’t in public and when I heard that the NRM First National Vice chairperson was in the area, I decided to use this opportunity to make my decision public,” she said.

Alhaji Kigongo appealed to the aggrieved members to resolve disputes internally rather than competing against their own party.

“We are all members of the same family. Let’s resolve our differences internally and move forward as one NRM,” he emphasized.

On his part, Haji Kirunda called upon the residents of Jinja City to vote for President Museveni and other NRM Party flagbearers in the area if they want to effectively benefit from service delivery.

He said in the last general elections, the residents didn’t vote well after sending three opposition MPs to parliament and giving a chance to only one NRM legislator.

“This was a bad decision, that is why we the people of Jinja City had no voice and limited opportunities at the centre,” he said.

Haji Kirunda also emphasized unity among the local leaders and asked them to support and campaign for President Museveni and other NRM flagbearers to ensure that they win by landslide in the forthcoming elections.

On the other hand, Haji Kirunda explained why the government has delayed work on Ambercourt and Mbulambuti roads. He said this was due to some greedy people who, after knowing that the government was going to work on the roads, bought plots nearby and asked for huge compensation.

He, however, assured the residents that the government was going to work on these roads.