Political Tensions in Kisoro: NRM and Independent Candidates Clash Over Symbols and Allegiances
In Kisoro, a district in Western Uganda, political tensions have escalated as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and independent candidates clash over the use of party symbols and colors. This conflict is set against the backdrop of the upcoming 2026 General Election, with both sides vying for support from voters.
During a meeting at Kisoro District Council Hall, Dr Philemon Mateke, the NRM chairperson, directed Mr Mujambere Thadeo, the district’s party electoral commission chairperson, to read a letter from the NRM Secretary General. The letter outlined strict rules prohibiting independent-leaning candidates from using any party symbols, citing violations of the party constitution.
Dr Mateke warned party members who chose to contest on the independent ticket against challenging official flagbearers. He emphasized that while the Ugandan Constitution permits independent candidacy, NRM internal rules explicitly prohibit it and bar the use of party identifiers in campaigns. “If elected, it would be difficult for such candidates to cooperate with the government,” he warned.
However, the meeting quickly turned into a verbal exchange as some members questioned why Dr Mateke had supported an independent candidate during the 2024 Kisoro District Woman MP by-election. This led to immediate pushback from independent candidates, including Bufumbira North MP John Nizeyimana Kamara and former NRM Vice Chairperson Ramadhan Ndikuyeze.
Kamara, contesting independently, insisted no one could bar him from using party colors or symbols, claiming he is “deeply loyal” to the party than his critics. He accused the party leadership of sidelining independents and questioned Dr Mateke’s support for Grace Akifeza in the 2024 by-election. “If I had known this was coming, I would have worn full yellow,” he declared.
Ndikuyeze, who is vying for Kisoro Municipality mayoral seat after losing the party flag, blamed top party leadership’s weakness for the surge in independent candidacies. He accused them of favoritism in the 2024 Woman MP race and warned that “deterring independent candidates from wearing yellow color will impact the current support the party enjoys in Kisoro.”
Mr Sam Bitangaro, who is contesting for Bufumbira South MP seat as an independent candidate after losing the NRM flag, argued that “the NRM party can ban me from using a bus as a party symbol, but cannot ban me from using yellow as a colour because it has no patent right over it. Besides, the constitution allows me to contest as an independent candidate.”
Dr Leo Mfitimana, an aspirant for Kisoro Municipality MP seat, cited irregularities in the primaries. He accused the party’s electoral commission of allowing minors and under age students to participate in voting. “I am still an NRM diehard despite contesting as an independent,” he said.
Ms Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, the current District Woman MP (NRM), shared her experience of running independently in 2024. “I went through in 2024 as an independent, but it was hard at first before signing an MoU with the ruling party. Though independent candidates are allowed to contest, they should avoid using party symbols and colours,” she said.
Mr Sam Byibesho, the NRM flagbearer for Kisoro Municipality MP, urged independent candidates to rally behind official flagbearers for stronger “party cohesion.” However, the meeting ended abruptly without a clear resolution, as independent candidates vowed to continue using the party colors. The standoff highlights deepening divisions within Kisoro’s NRM ahead of upcoming elections.
Kisoro is not an isolated case as several NRM members, including cabinet ministers across the country have defied party rules by running as independent candidates, with many claiming there were irregularities during the party primaries.