The National Resistance Movement Secretary General Richard Todwong has welcomed the decision by Minister of State for Works Francis Musa Ecweru to withdraw from the Amuria County parliamentary race, describing it as a rare act of discipline and loyalty that other leaders should emulate.
Ecweru, who had been nominated to contest as an independent candidate following a disputed party primary, announced early in the week that he would not appear on the ballot for the 2026–2031 term, opting instead to focus on mobilizing support for President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election in the greater Teso subregion.
“The election in Amuria was grossly mismanaged,” Ecweru admitted. “But after consulting the President, I realized that it is wiser to step down and concentrate on delivering victory for him. The winning of Museveni equals durable stability and the progress of our region.”
Ecweru, who is also the NRM District Chairperson for Amuria, said his new assignment will be to rally all local chairpersons and party structures in Teso, Bukedi and neighboring areas behind the ruling party’s presidential candidate.
“We must now look to the future, not the past,” he said. “Our focus is unity, development and getting out of poverty. Internal divisions only weaken our capacity to benefit from government programs.”
Speaking shortly after Ecweru’s announcement in Butebo District, Todwong commended the minister for putting party interests above personal ambition and called on other ministers and NRM members who lost in primaries to follow suit.
“Ecweru has shown discipline and maturity,” Todwong remarked. “We have many others who chose to defy the party by running as independents instead of rallying behind the official flagbearers. That is indiscipline and the party will not tolerate it.”
He revealed that the NRM Secretariat has already started engaging several ministers and incumbents who are contesting as independents, encouraging them to withdraw and support the party line.
“Some have accepted to step down after realizing that they must respect party structures. Dodging primaries and running as an independent weakens the NRM. You cannot build a house while digging its foundation at the same time,” Todwong said.
Among those reportedly running as independents despite earlier guidance from the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) are Florence Nambozo of Sironko District, David Bahati of Ndorwa West in Kabale and Jeje Odongo of Orungo County in Amuria District.
Todwong emphasized that the party’s success in 2026 depends on discipline, unity and collective mobilization rather than individual ambition.
While in Butebo, Todwong reminded residents of the district’s transformation under NRM rule, citing decentralization, infrastructure and social programs as gains that must be protected.
“Butebo became a district because of NRM’s policy of decentralizing services. It now has its own administrative center, roads, schools, and health facilities. Those are the foundations we are building upon,” he said. “Governance is a process; you do not finish it in one election cycle.”
NRM’s flagbearer for Butebo County, Fred Mudukoyi Oduch, echoed similar sentiments, saying that while the district appreciates NRM’s achievements, the government should now address livelihood challenges such as restricted rice farming, the collapse of cotton growing, and the need for fish and coffee production to improve household incomes.
“We are proud of NRM’s work, but our biggest concern is livelihood. If the government can support coffee and fish farming, our people will have sustainable income,” Oduch said.
As campaigns intensify across the Bukedi and Teso subregions, Todwong’s message is clear party unity comes before personal interest.
“Let us not allow internal competition to weaken our house,” he urged. “Those who have the party at heart should follow Ecweru’s example. Delivering President Museveni’s victory is delivering Uganda’s stability.”
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