MP Nambeshe says he has bowed out of NRM Party

Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | John Baptist Nambeshe, the Manjiya County Member of Parliament in Bududa district has announced plans to contest as an independent candidate in the 2021 polls.

Nambeshe, who is now the Eastern Region People Power Coordinator told URN that he has taken a decision to quit the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party, saying he doesn’t trust NRM party Electoral Commission officials in Bududa district.

According to the legislator, they have got nothing despite supporting the ruling NRM party for the last 35 years.  He made several allegations against the party, including that “The party has turned into a private limited company for one person and a few shareholders. We can’t continue that way.”

Nambeshe is among NRM party legislators who opposed the scrapping of the presidential age limit from the constitution, Museveni’s soul candidature and introduction of the Over the Top Tax-OTT for social media users among other party positions.

Bududa District NRM party Chairperson, Stephen Wakyaya, says Nambeshe is free to leave and contest as an independent since Uganda is a democratic state.

He reveals that Nambeshe has been giving them headache both at the district and national party leadership level since he is often opposed to the party position.

According to Wakyaya, they don’t regret Nambesh’s departure because they have many credible people they can field. “Since he has betrayed us, let him go we shall find another credible person to field,” he said.

Nambeshe’s decision to quit the party has drawn mixed reactions from the voters. Stephen Wakuma and Peter Kutosi say they are ready to vote for him since he is pro-people.

However, Kasimu Waboko disagrees with Nambeshe’s decision, saying he should have contested in the NRM primaries before deciding to go independent.

Those eyeing the Nambeshe’s seat include David Wanedeya Wakikona, the former Manjiya county Member of parliament, Bududa LC V Chairperson Wilson Watira, Hussein Kato Matanda, the former Kumi RDC, Moses Kigai Wamoto, Namisindwa RDC, Jackson Matsanga, Philip Namukowa, Richard Masaba and Stephen Wobusani.

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URN