NRM Leaders Face Removal After Opting to Run as Independents

By Amos Tayebwa – Mbarara

A section of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Sheema District face immediate removal from party structures after opting to contest for various elective positions as independents in the forthcoming 2025/2026 general elections.

According to a directive issued by Richard Muhangi, the NRM District Chairman for Sheema, all party leaders who have defied the party line by seeking nomination as independents will automatically lose their positions within the NRM structures. Muhangi revealed that their roles will instead be taken up by candidates who lost to them in the primaries, starting with those in second or third positions where available.

“We have been informed that some leaders in the NRM structures have been nominated for local government positions as independents. This is against the constitution of NRM. I therefore direct the Chairpersons of sub-counties and divisions to identify such members and bring their names to the attention of the District Executive Committee (DEC),” Muhangi stated.

Among those affected is Sheema South MP, Prof. Elijah Mushemeza, who also serves as Chairman of the Elders League in Kasaana, but is now standing as an independent. Others include the NRM Chairman of Masheruka, retired police officer Laban Muhabwe of the Veteran League for Rutooma village (vying for LC3 Chairman, Kitagata TC), Atwongirwe Peace, Chairperson of the Women League in Sheema Central Division, and Mushabe Isaac, the District Youth Chairperson, who is contesting for Kitagata Town Council Councillor seat as an independent.

The move follows a September 15, 2025 directive from NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, warning that all NRM leaders nominated as independents must resign their party positions with immediate effect or face suspension from party activities.