Trouble in Muhoozi Camp as Museveni’s NRM Rubbishes First Son’s ‘New’ Party

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has rubbished talk that first son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba is planning to form a new political party called the National Progressive Movement (NPM). 

Since Lt Gen Kainerugaba made his intentions in running for president and succeeding his 77-year-old father Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni known to Ugandans, some of his supporters have been mulling over the idea of forming a new political party to serve as a vehicle to champion his presidential interests.

The new party, according to its proponents who include Kashambya County MP David Kabanda, will bring together Ugandans interested in the Muhoozi Kainerugaba (MK) Project, regardless their political affiliations.

The new party would, in essence, be a breakaway faction of Museveni’s NRM, and would weaken the ruling party if Muhoozi became president through the NPM. There are also questions on if the NPM would be a pressure group just like Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s People Power Movement which later acquired the National Unity Platform (NUP) party to champion its electoral interests.

According to Rogers Mulindwa, the Senior Manager in charge of information, communication and public relations in the NRM, NPM is simply MP Kabanda’s thought and has not been originated by Muhoozi himself.

However, Mulindwa says that there is nothing which would bar Kabanda or any other Ugandan from forming a new political party if they wanted since it is within his rights as a citizen.

Mulindwa insisted that Museveni’s NRM was still strong and would not be shaken by new political parties. He categorically rubbished reports that the NRM would morph into the NPM to allow the first son pursue his political ambitions.

But the NRM mouthpiece was quick to note that there was a process that anyone who would want to change the NRM party’s name would have to follow.

“National Resistance Movement is still here. Those who want to create new parties can go ahead because they have the freedom,” Mulindwa told NBS Eagle. “This National Progressive Movement is Kabanda’s idea. It’s not Muhoozi’s. If you want to change the party’s name, there are procedures that have to be followed.”

The proposal by some members of the Muhoozi camp to form  a new political party, breaking away from Museveni’s NRM is being seen a sign of cracks emerging within the ruling party. (Read Story Here).

Meanwhile, the talk of Muhoozi’s rumored party in the making is coming at a time when a city lawyer has dragged the first son, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi and Attorney General (AG) Kiryowa Kiwanuka over Muhoozi’s politically-peppered 48th birthday celebrations.

Lawyer Gawaya Tegulle wants the first son, who is also the Commander of UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, prosecuted for treason. But Muhoozi has fired back at the city lawyer, saying that the ‘Highest Judge’ is on his side and that of his supporters. (Read Story Here).