KAMPALA – Barnabas Tinkasimire, the Member of Parliament for Buyaga West, has publicly defied the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party by declaring his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general elections. This decision comes just weeks after he lost the party’s official primary elections.
The announcement, made during a public address in Muhooro Town, signals a significant rupture between the legislator and the party structures and sets the stage for a contentious political battle in the constituency.
In his speech, Tinkasimire did not mince words, launching a fierce attack on the integrity of the NRM primaries. He alleged that the electoral process was deliberately manipulated to ensure his defeat.
The MP claimed the primaries were “rigged in favor of his opponent through a coordinated effort” involving a coalition of NRM politicians, what he termed as “mafias,” and officials from the Electoral Commission. This accusation points to a deep-seated belief of institutional collusion against his candidacy.
By choosing to run as an independent, Tinkasimire directly violates the NRM’s party rules, which require members to respect the outcomes of internal party elections and not contest against the officially nominated party flag bearer. This move could lead to his expulsion or other disciplinary action from the NRM.
His defiance highlights the ongoing internal fractures within the NRM following its recent primaries, which were marred by widespread allegations of malpractice, vote-rigging, and violence across numerous constituencies. Tinkasimire’s case is among the most prominent where a sitting MP has rejected the results and vowed to continue the race outside the party umbrella.
The race for Buyaga West is now poised to be a three-way contest between the official NRM flag bearer, Tinkasimire as a high-profile independent, and candidates from opposition parties.
