Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has told the National Resistance Movement (NRM) members to go into primaries knowing that the party is more important than individuals.

Museveni holds a potato given to him by a farmer in Butansi, Kamuli. Next is Kiyingi and right is Kadaga

“If you lose in an election, support the person who has won. To create disunity because you have lost is not good. Even me, I can’t do anything as an individual,” Museveni, who is the NRM chairman, noted.

“The power I have is from the people. It is wrong to think that the individual you support is higher than the party,” he added.

The President was over the weekend speaking during a talk-show over NBS FM in Jinja district during his tour of Busoga region.

Museveni denied claims by some contestants that he anointed them to vie for the various political posts in the party.

“Don’t be diverted. I can’t send anybody to contest in the party. They are all my children and I can’t support one against the other. I will support the flag-bearer elected by the people,” he clarified.

The President’s comments come at a time when cases of violent campaigns have been reported across the country in the ongoing party campaigns for MP and district chairpersons.

Today, several NRM members vying for executive posts are expected to pick nomination forms from the party headquarters in Kampala.

The President is in Busoga to assess projects implemented by NAADS under the Prosperity for All programme. The programme is aimed at fighting household poverty by boosting incomes through commercialised production.
“I have been here for a week, but have you heard me mention any candidate? I have never sent anybody to contest. All members are mine as long as they belong to the party,” the President elaborated.

In another talk-show on Kamuli Broadcasting Service FM, Museveni warned NRM leaders against fighting each other, saying leaders must not show personal or misplaced biases when dealing with party affairs.

“A manager is a leader who doesn’t take sides. Those under them may fight but not leaders,” Museveni cautioned.
The warning was prompted by reports by lands state minister Asuman Kiyingi that Parliament deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga was funding his opponent.

Henry Kibalya, an employee of Uganda Breweries, is among the four candidates campaigning for Bugabula South, where Kiyingi is the incumbent. Others are Charles Naluswa Mutyabule and Henry Kyesitalo.

“I have evidence that people are funded by Kadaga because I am against Prince Gabula’s becoming the Busoga king,” Kiyingi said.

Prince William Gabula Nadiope IV is facing off with Prince Edward Colombus Wambuzi for the Kyabazinga seat.
Kadaga fired back: “I think this is being cheap. I have not done anything like that. What he (Kiyingi) is saying is nonsense.”

Museveni said he would meet the leaders to discuss the issues.
He said it was wrong for party leaders to show favouritism among supporters at the grassroots

Ends