Kampala, Uganda — Prominent National Resistance Movement (NRM) party member, Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, has called on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to take decisive action against what he describes as the growing influence of wealthy individuals within the party’s leadership structures.
In a statement posted online, Balaam expressed concern that the NRM—the ruling party of Uganda—risks drifting away from its founding ideological principles due to the rising dominance of moneyed interests.
“Your Excellency, President and Chairman General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, I express concern that the NRM party is increasingly falling under the influence of wealthy individuals,” Balaam wrote.
He appealed to President Museveni, who also serves as the NRM’s National Chairman, to personally intervene by nominating Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, subject to approval by the National Delegates Conference. According to Balaam, such a move would help restore ideological clarity and shield the party from the corrosive effects of commercialized politics.
“This will ensure that the politics of money have no bearing on the continuity of NRA/NRM ideology, anchored on protracted people’s struggle,” he said, emphasizing the need to protect the party’s historical legacy and revolutionary roots.
Balaam further urged party members to reject the monetization of internal elections and decision-making, warning that allowing votes to be “sold to the highest bidder” undermines the democratic values and vision of the NRM.
His remarks come at a time when internal wrangles and allegations of vote buying have been reported in the run-up to various party elections.
Balaam tagged President Museveni’s official account, First Son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba), NRM Secretary-General Richard Todwong (@TodwongR), and the official party account (@NRMOnline), underscoring the seriousness of his message and the audience he hoped to reach.
The NRM leadership is yet to officially respond to the statement.
