NRM’s big numbers

Rebel MPs

The most recent example of the antidemocratic tendencies within NRM, according to critics, are the attempts by the NRM secretariat to take disciplinary action against the 27 NRM MPs who refused to toe the party line by voting for the presidential age limit to stay. With its big numbers, NRM attempts to beat dissenters against party position into line. Days before the age limit amendment, President Museveni said he would consider MPs against the amendment as those who are opposed to him. Shortly after, he criticised the secretariat for failing to take action against those who rebelled against the amendment. Earlier in 2013, the party expelled four MPs and suspended one whom it deemed indisciplined; Theodore Sekikubo, Mohammed Nsereko, Wilfred Niwagaba, Barnabas Tinkasiimire and Vincent Kyamadidi who was suspended. Museveni felt personal about it, another sign that he and the party that has ruled

Uganda for 32 years, does not take its grip on power lightly. Whether the party can command the big numbers without Museveni is another question.