By Frank KamuntuÂ
A group of aspirants vying for various positions in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) have raised serious concerns over what they term as lack of transparency, unfair vetting processes, and exclusion from key decision-making platforms within the ruling party.
Addressing a joint press conference held at Roots Restaurant in Nakasero on Wednesday, the CEC hopefuls castigated the NRM Secretariat for allegedly misleading the party’s National Chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, and failing to consult party delegates across the country ahead of the internal party elections.
Hakim Kyeswa, who is contesting for the position of NRM CEC Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, accused officials at the Secretariat of frustrating internal democratic processes and sidelining grassroots voices.
“The Secretariat should have called for a proper Delegates’ Conference with a clear agenda. No resolutions were made, and delegates were not consulted. This is against the very principles on which the party was founded,” Kyeswa said.
He further faulted the current system in which incumbent CEC members participate in vetting their challengers, describing the process as “unfair, illegal, and deeply conflicted.”
Kyeswa also revealed that he and other contenders had formally written to the NRM Electoral Commission requesting for a joint campaign platform, but no response has been received to date.
“You cannot have a fair contest when your opponent sits on the vetting committee and you’re denied access to the electorate. That’s not democracy,” he emphasized.
He cited the example of Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, a sitting CEC member, who he said lost his constituency but still remains a key decision-maker at the national level.
In a similarly passionate address, Buyela Christopher, who is vying for the NRM CEC Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, called into question the role of current CEC members, alleging that many have become detached from the people they purport to represent.
“The President has ruled for only 16 years effectively, because for the rest of the time, we’ve been figuring out what to do. Unfortunately, we never seem to learn,” Buyela stated.
He accused Eastern Region CEC member Mike Mukula of being absent from the grassroots and failing to maintain a physical presence in the region.
“How can he represent us without even having an office in the East? What understanding does he have of the ordinary person’s needs? The decisions made at the top no longer reflect the realities of the common man,” he said.
Buyela also criticized the wider civil service, claiming that over 95% of government employees no longer subscribe to the NRM ideology and instead pursue personal gain at the expense of national interest.
He reiterated the need for joint campaigns, equity, and inclusivity in party activities, warning that without deliberate efforts to reconnect with the people, the party risks losing its ideological foundation.
“It’s not about money, power, or popularity. It’s about the vision of the NRM and our shared future as a country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rehema Kyanika, contesting for the CEC National Chairperson of the Women’s League, praised President Museveni for championing women’s empowerment. She expressed gratitude for the support she has received from women across Uganda and promised to build a vibrant and inclusive women’s league from the grassroots to national level.
“When women rise, the nation rises. Women are the foundation of every society,” Kyanika said.
She emphasized her belief in collective leadership under the slogan “I am because you are,” and promised to amplify the voices of women in decision-making forums.
Kyanika also highlighted the need to streamline access to government empowerment programs like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), which she said many women currently do not benefit from due to inadequate sensitization and limited access to information.
“We need a women’s league that works for the ordinary woman, not just elites in Kampala,” she added.
The press conference comes at a critical time as the NRM prepares for a major Delegates Conference later this year to elect new members to its highest decision-making organ, the CEC.
Despite their grievances, all candidates pledged their continued commitment to the NRM and President Museveni’s leadership, but called for internal reforms to strengthen party cohesion, transparency, and grassroots representation.
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