Ruling NRM Welcomes Back 17 “Rebel MPs” as Challenger FDC Locks Out The Few They Had

A section of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MPs) who have always notoriously defied and voted against several party positions met the party chairperson President Yoweri Museveni and sought forgiveness.

The group usually refered to as “Rebel MPs” for opposing key NRM  positions, like the Constitutional Amendment as many of these were part of the “Togikwatako Campaign” which among others amended Article 102(b) of the Constitution, said they were seeking forgiveness.

“We are here as your sons and daughters. We request you to forgive us and we move on,” said Kumi Woman MP, Monica Amoding, on behalf of her 16 colleagues.

At the meeting, attended by the NRM Secretary General Justine Lumumba, were MPs; Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga West), Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (Kasambya), Muyanja Ssenyonga (Mukono South), Kibalya Maurice (Bugabula South), Sylvia Rwabwogo (Kabarole Woman) and Sam Lyomoki (Workers). 

Others were Michael Timuzigu (Kajara), Moses Adome (Jie), Susan Amero (Amuria Woman), James Kaberuka (Kinkizi West), Robert Migadde (Buvuma), Sarah Nakawunde (Mpigi Woman), Evelyn Chemutai (Bukwo Woman), Dennis Sabiiti (Rubanda) and Anthony Semuli (Mubende Municipality).

The NRM Chairman, President Museveni, welcomed the members back into the fold, saying he would table their request for forgiveness before the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).

In yesterday’s (Thursday) CEC meeting, it was resolved that in order to maintain cohesion and discipline, the party leadership should interact with the MPs to further guide them.

Emphasising the importance of unity, President Museveni told the MPs that what should pre-occupy them is the future of the African race. 

“The issue we are dealing with is not terms limits or age limits but survival of the African race,” he said, adding, “We do not have a strong black nation like the US, Russia, India, China”, Museveni said.

President Museveni told the attendees that politics should not be viewed as a job or mere career but rather a service to the people.  He said he joined leadership to support black people to survive and prosper.

He asked members to focus on the four key principles of the NRM party; Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Social Economic Transformation and Democracy.

MPS SPEAK OUT

Lwemiyaga Member of Parliament Hon Ssekibubo told the President that the group was ready to support and work with him.

“When duty calls we are here and ready for deployment,” said Mr Ssekikubo.

Mr Tinkasimire, who thanked the SG Lumumba for organising the meeting, said they wanted the NRM party to recognize them and they would in return work for it.  He commended President Museveni for being a father figure and a great leader.

Ms Rwabwogo reiterated their commitment to work with President Museveni while Dr Lyomoki said their presence in Parliament was due to the NRM Revolution. 

“Without your revolution, we wouldn’t be in that Parliament so thank you for this opportunity and please forgive us,” said Dr Lyomoki

FDC WOES

NRM’s closest challenger the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is still boiled up in fists with their Members of Parliament (MPs) that they allege are not opposition enough and should either follow former Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu to Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) or outrightly join NRM.

Last night, the party secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi tussled in dirty mud with Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, an FDC Legislator, and openly branded her a mole who is using the party for her own personal gains.

Ms Sempala was denied forms to contest for Kampala Lord Mayor on the FDC party ticket with the party insisting that she returned the forms late. Other Legislators, Mr Elijah Okupa (Kasilo – Soroti), Ms Angelline Osege (Soroti District), Edmund Herbert Ariko (Soroti Municipality), Mr Jackson Mbaju (Busongora County South – Kasese) and Mr Robert Centenary (Kasese Municipality).

Former FDC Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Kasese District Woman MP Winnie Kizza also recently declared retirement from active politics, exposing another possible loss for the party in Kasese.