Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Resistance Movement Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda Capt. Mike Mukula, has urged the party to disqualify candidates who use money to influence delegates, warning that the ruling party risks jeopardizing its future if internal elections continue to be dominated by vote buying.
Speaking ahead of the NRM National Delegates’ Conference scheduled for August 27 at Kololo Independence Grounds, Mukula described the use of large sums of money to sway delegates as “dangerous” and contrary to the party’s founding principles.
“We are playing with fire the moment we commercialize the electoral process of the party,” Mukula said. “This path will lead to wrong leaders being elected and could endanger the NRM’s revolutionary foundation.”
He revealed that some candidates were allegedly spending between Shs200 million and Shs500 million to buy votes from delegates, despite holding positions that do not carry salaries, vehicles, or allowances.
Mukula questioned the source of the funds, alleging that some of the money was flowing from outside the country, particularly the United States.
The former minister linked the commercialization of elections to Uganda’s history, reminding party members that President Museveni launched the 1981–86 guerrilla war after the disputed 1980 polls.
Mukula also reiterated the NRM’s electoral strength in Eastern Uganda, noting that in the 2021 general elections the party won 97 parliamentary seats from the region, with the opposition parties securing far fewer.
The upcoming Delegates’ Conference the first in ten years to be held in person will see members endorse President Museveni as the party’s flagbearer and national chairman, alongside elections for other top positions including the vice chairpersons for various regions.
Mukula’s warning echoes President Museveni’s recent concerns that the “commercialization of politics” could tarnish the image of the ruling party and undermine its credibility.
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