The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Member of Parliament for Maracha East, James Acidiri says that he will be contesting under the independent ticket after falling out with the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Acidiri has been a member of parliament on the NRM ticket but his woes with the party started when he voted against the lifting of the Presidential age limit in 2017.
During a press conference at parliament on Wednesday, Acidiri said that he believes MPs are supposed to represent the views of their people but when he tried to do this by standing against the age limit, he has been labeled a rebel in the party and he cannot endure this anymore.
Acidiri compared the NRM to a prison where he has not been allowed to express the views of his people but also speak out objectively.
When asked why he did not join any other political party, Acidiri said that all other political parties have their own internal wrangles and believes he can perform better as an independent.
Acidiri who has also been closely associated with People power opted out saying his voters have maintained that he should stand as an independent for now, adding that aligning with another party would send him to the same troubles he is running away from.
NRM spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa says that Acidri is free to leave if he feels dissatisfied with the party. He says NRM gets new people almost daily and you cannot lock them down if they want to exit.
As MPs move to the 2021 elections, many of them have crossed parties with some deciding to return as independent candidates.
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