One of the key lessons any keen observer of Ugandan politics can learn from President Yoweri Museveni is his remarkable ability to manage internal political contradictions. Regardless of where these contradictions arise, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), under Museveni’s adept leadership, has consistently navigated these challenges and emerged stronger.
Resolving internal contradictions is a core principle of the NRM. Historically, Ugandan political parties from the 1960s—such as the Democratic Party (DP), the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Kabaka Yekka—failed because they couldn’t reconcile their internal differences, which were often rooted in identity politics. These parties collapsed, focusing on sectarian interests: DP was largely Catholic, UPC attracted Protestants and some Muslims, while Kabaka Yekka drew support from the Baganda. This failure to manage internal divisions caused their decline.
Today, a similar trend is threatening the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP). The public power struggle between Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and the former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, illustrates the opposition’s struggle with internal unity. However, I will delve deeper into this issue another time.
For now, my focus is on the recent political development following Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s endorsement of President Yoweri Museveni for the 2026 general elections. Gen. Muhoozi, currently the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has declared that he will not run for president in 2026. Instead, he urged members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to join the NRM ahead of the elections.
In his own words, shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Gen. Muhoozi stated: “I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections.”
Gen. Muhoozi’s endorsement of Museveni has stirred significant political discussion and marked an important shift in Uganda’s evolving power dynamics. The announcement spread quickly on social media, leaving the opposition in shock. They are left to ponder how the NRM continually manages to resolve its internal contradictions so effectively.
This ability to manage internal differences is what sets the NRM apart from other political parties. Having differences in opinion is natural and, in fact, necessary for political organizations, which serve as platforms for various forms of political expression. Engaging in open and healthy debate, even when contradictions arise, has helped the NRM consolidate its power base over the years. The NRM, under President Museveni, promotes free expression without fear of retribution for those who exercise it.
Therefore, Gen. Muhoozi’s decision to endorse President Museveni should be met with enthusiasm. It represents a move to consolidate power within the NRM and ensure that the party remains unified ahead of the 2026 elections.
On May 3, 2023, President Museveni, who also serves as the NRM national chairman, met with Gen. Muhoozi and his group at State House Entebbe. During the meeting, the President recognized their commitment to serve Uganda and praised their efforts to mobilize Ugandans towards unity and cohesion, while also fighting corruption to improve service delivery.
Rather than isolating members of the PLU, President Museveni has appointed some of them to key positions in his government. For instance, Balaam Barugahara was appointed as the State Minister for Youth and Children, and Lillian Aber was made the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief, and Refugees.
In his message to PLU members, Gen. Muhoozi emphasized: “PLU is a civic organization, not a political party. You are absolutely free to contest. For now, I advise you to subscribe to the NRM. That is the political party most closely aligned to our values.”
The PLU, formerly known as the MK Movement, was launched in Kampala in early February 2023 as a civic organization dedicated to mobilizing Ugandans towards the goals of national unity, peace, and stability. Initially, the MK Movement emerged in April 2022 as a spontaneous group of Ugandans rallying around Gen. Muhoozi to recognize his military service and that of his comrades to the Republic of Uganda.
President Museveni’s ability to harmonize the PLU and the NRM showcases his exceptional skill in managing contradictions—a theory that should be studied by generations to come.
The writer is the Deputy RDC of Manafwa District and a member of the Kasangati Rotary Club.
