'Users!' Angry NRM members storm party offices threatening to join NUP

The group banged the yellow gate of the headquarters on Plot 10, Kyadondo Road, shouting at the top of their voices and calling their leaders names for being indifferent to their needs. A scared NRM secretariat was seen fleeing the wrath of the group.

Undeterred by the silence, they set camp outside the gate vowing not to leave until the party general secretary, Richard Todwong, and other officials, met with them.This forced the officials at the premises to call police which arrived to restore order.

Entrance was granted to a few while the rest were left outside hurling more insults.

According to the chairperson of of the NRM flagbearers in Kampala District, Matia Lukwago, the party leaders have not fulfilled the promises they made to them. They decried the systemic neglect that they have been subjected to by President Museveni and his surbodinates.

Grievances

“We are suffering as if we are not NRM supporters. The party chairperson promised to support all leaders of the party from the five divisions of Kampala. He first instructed his PPS (Principal Permanent Secretary) to handle but she did not work on our issues. Then he later handed us to the secretary general, but he has also disappeared," Lukwago said.

He said that they shoulder bias, and financial stress from the election defeat but the closed-door meetings with Museveni have not been productive.

“We are discriminated against for supporting President Museveni and NRM party but our leaders don’t care. They don’t want to know what we are going through. We lost all our property during 2021 elections due to the chaos involved but those who see us think we have money but in actual sense we are very poor and suffering,” he added.

Failed promises and threats

They threatened to quit the party to fraternise with the National Unity Platform (NUP) or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in case their leaders continue to "play games" with his team.

One of the disgruntled members, Muhsin Ssemakula from Namungoona, said:

"I sold off my house during 2021 elections to stand as NRM flagbearer in my constituency. I sacrificed everything for this party but now I have gained nothing. My people think I have money but I don’t have. We are just here neglected yet they promised us heaven and earth,"

Robert Otebe, the NRM flagbearer Lukuli Makindye, vowed to stay at the premises until Museveni addresses their issues.

"We have committed no offence to be here, we are at our home. I am not going to leave the place until Mr Museveni addresses all the issues as he promised us. These people are telling us to meet him (secretary general) on Wednesday but I can’t leave without an official communication," Otebe said.

The group asked their leaders to come out and tell them if they have been disposed.