Nakasero, Kampala– A group of nine independent-leaning Members of Parliament have expressed interest in working with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as they prepare to begin their new parliamentary term.
The newly elected legislators — Esther Achom (Serere), Peter Ojiji (Pingire), Mercy Kanyesigye (National Female Youth), Rose Mutonyi (Manafwa), Ronald Mutego (Butaleja), Emmanuel Illukol (Bukora County), Anthony Tumusiime (Isingiro), Spellanza Baguma (Kyenjojo), and Richard Ssenteza (Buikwe) — were on Wednesday escorted to the NRM headquarters by the Speaker of Parliament and the party’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Among.
At the party headquarters, they were received by senior NRM leaders led by the Deputy Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja Nsereko.
Speaking during the meeting, Speaker Among commended the independent MPs for expressing willingness to collaborate with the ruling party.
“We know some of you participated in the primaries but did not succeed and chose to stand as independents. You were fortunate enough to win the vote. We thank you for showing interest in working with the mighty party,” Among said.
She also applauded the MPs for contributing to President Yoweri Museveni’s 2026 electoral victory, noting that the NRM warmly welcomes their decision to cooperate.
Deputy Secretary General Namayanja said the legislators had made the right decision to work with the NRM, emphasizing the party’s inclusive approach.
“As our policy in NRM, we work with everybody. There are 67 independents in Parliament, and 54 of those participated in NRM primaries. That alone is not enough, and I must thank those who have shown interest in signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on how we are to cooperate with the NRM in the next five years,” Namayanja said.
She explained that although many of the independents are NRM members, the party could not officially support them after they opted to contest as independents following primary losses.
“When they stand as independents, they do not get our flag, and we do not canvass votes for them. Financially, only NRM flag bearers were supported. Those in party positions who went independent were asked to step aside. In case there are those who went through, we want everyone to join us to take the country forward,” she added.
The Director for Legal Services at the NRM Secretariat, Counsel Enoch Barata, clarified that the legislators are not formally crossing to the NRM but are instead seeking structured cooperation.
“The general idea of this cooperation is not that one has changed their party to NRM, but rather that we enter into an agreement to cooperate on several issues. This mainly involves supporting resolutions of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus,” Barata explained.
He noted that once the MPs are duly gazetted and sworn in, they will be able to sign formal cooperation MOUs with the party.
“We thank you for recognizing at this early stage of your duties that it will be important for you to cooperate with the NRM, which has the majority in Parliament. This is being done in the spirit of advancing the interests of your people. NRM is a mass party, and we welcome all ideas that will move our people and our country forward,” he said.
Key Words: NRM | Independent MPs | Anita Among | Rose Namayanja | Cooperation | MOUs | Parliamentary Caucus | 2026 Elections | Museveni | Parliament
