The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Youth aspirant Joram Mpairwe Ampuriire has announced a last-minute withdrawal from the Western Youth MP race, citing what he described as compromised integrity in the ongoing electoral process following the decentralization of youth elections by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Mpairwe, who was seen as one of the leading contenders for the NRM flag in the contest, said the decision that comes just a day to the elections was not made lightly but arose from persistent irregularities undermining the credibility of the polls.
Despite raising concerns to the NRM top Management and the Electoral Commission, Mpairwe says irregularities have multiplied under the decentralized model.
Such circumstances, according to Mpairwe, undermine the principles of free and fair elections upon which the ruling Party stands, but implored the party’s leadership under the National Chairman H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to “take these concerns seriously to safeguard the democratic values of the NRM for the future.”
Mpairwe thanked his supporters for standing firm amid what he termed as “immense pressure,” insisting that leadership is about service and not transactional politics. “While money and power may seem louder today, they cannot drown out the voice of a determined generation,” he asserted.
The NRM Youth elections were initially scheduled to be conducted under a centralized model at the national level, with the Party Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, pledging to preside over the rescheduled exercise.
However, following a CEC meeting which the President himself presided over on Saturday, the Committee resolved to have the youth elections rerun on a decentralized model where elections for the party’s flag bearers and league executives at district level.
The abrupt change sparked discontent among aspirants, many of whom expressed fears that district-level voting would expose the process to local political influence, voter intimidation, and bribery.
The controversy came on the heels of a previous suspension of the youth elections, which had been halted earlier this year after reports of procedural inconsistencies and logistical challenges.
Despite his abrupt withdrawal, the youthful politician pledged continued loyalty to President Museveni and the ruling party.
His exit means the Western Youth MP seat now remains with Aijuka Arnold Baguma, Oscar Matsko, Arinda Daisy Kankiriho, Dr. Taali King Mukasa, Barbra Nakandi, Reinold Mujuni, Elizabeth Kankwanzi, Rubanza Anderson, Johnson Masereka, Julian Amanya, Ezra Byakutangaza, and Mwine Tumwebaze.
