By Jumah Kakomo
A faction within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, known as the Revivalist Movement, has taken a bold step by filing a legal suit against the party’s Secretary General, Richard Todwong, and the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi. The lawsuit alleges that the party’s failure to hold internal elections since 2016 is a clear violation of both the NRM constitution and the constitution of Uganda.
According to the faction’s leader, Isaac Rukanda, internal elections are a fundamental pillar of the party’s democratic process. He emphasized that this neglect has allowed leaders whose terms expired in 2020 to continue serving illegally for five years, undermining the party’s credibility and democratic values.
The Revivalist Movement’s move highlights the internal tensions within the NRM and the need for accountability and transparency within the party. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the party leadership responds to these allegations and whether they will take steps to address the concerns raised by the Revivalist Movement.
Isaac adds that after years of raising concerns internally through letters and petitions, their leaders arrogantly ignored them, and as the revivalist movement, they were left with no option but to file a legal suit .
He highlights that the NRM constitution is very clear that under Chapter 5, Section 46, sub section 1. It states, subject to the provisions of this constitution, the term of office of elected members of all organs of NRM shall be five years, unless terminated earlier, and the incumbent members shall be eligible for re-election.
Sam Mucunguzi, the spokesperson of the Movement, says the chairperson of the NRM electoral commission and the entire team have failed to fulfil their mandate, a core mandate under the NRM constitution. The excuse of Covid 19 nolonger holds water, especially given that Uganda successfully conducted presidential and parliamentary elections during the same period. These elections marked by mass rallies and extensive public participation undeniably posed a greater threat for the spread of covid 19 than the relatively contained NRMA internal elections conducted through electoral colleges.”These above-mentioned elections aside, we have had more than 9 bi elections since 2021,” Sam added.
According to the Movement, some NRM leaders have also misleandingly told the public that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) has powers to indefinitely postpone elections, this is falseCEC after consultations can only extend term of service for only 6 months while the CEC of NRM organizes elections.
The lawyer of the Movement Keith Kyaruzi Namara says his clients are seeking justice for the blatant disregard of the party’s constitution and the constitution of Uganda. “Our clients, members of the NRM, have been patiently waiting for internal elections, which are long overdue,” Keith added.
He emphasized that the failure to hold internal elections since 2016 is a clear violation of the party’s democratic principles.”Our clients are not seeking power or personal gain,” Counsel Keith clarified. “They are seeking accountability, transparency, and a return to democratic values within the NRM,”.
