Petition To NRM Secretary General
I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. I am writing to express my deep concerns and to formally petition the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regarding what I believe to be a significant violation of the party’s constitution and principles.
The NRM has been a beacon of democracy, participation, equal opportunities, inclusivity, equity, and social justice since its inception. These principles have been the cornerstone upon which our party was built, and they remain essential to our identity as a revolutionary political entity.
It should be duly noted that the NRM party leadership has previously cited reasons for not holding internal elections, reasons that I, as a dedicated patriot and member of the NRM, find to be unacceptable. Their assertion was that elections were postponed due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it is imperative to examine this claim critically.The argument that Covid-19 prevented the conduct of elections within our party is not supported by a closer examination of the facts. During the same period, our country successfully organized and executed presidential elections and parliamentary elections.
These nationwide events, marked by mass rallies and extensive public participation, undeniably posed a greater threat for the spread of Covid-19 than the relatively contained NRM internal elections conducted through electoral colleges.
Therefore, it is evident that the assertion that Covid-19 warranted the postponement of NRM internal elections does not align with the reality of how elections were conducted on a national scale. As a result, I strongly believe that this justification should not stand as a hindrance to the fulfillment of our party’s constitutional obligations and principles.
I would like to draw your attention to Chapter 3, section 9, subsection D of the National Resistance Movement’s constitution, which outlines the rights and duties of members. This section unequivocally grants members the right and mandate to constructively criticize any official, member, policy, program, or activity within the party.
It is on this basis, as a dedicated member of the NRM, that I am submitting this petition to the Secretary General of the NRM.
Furthermore, it is important to clarify that party structures are indeed present within the NRM. However, my concern lies in the fact that the individuals currently occupying these positions have not been lawfully elected by the members of the party, which undermines the democratic foundation of our organization.
This lack of legitimate elections and adherence to our constitution has raised serious doubts about the transparency and fairness of our internal processes.
The people we elected in 2016 to serve in various leadership positions within the NRM saw their terms expire in 2021.
Regrettably, they are now serving a second term without a legal mandate. With the next general elections scheduled for 2026, this continuation of leadership without elections would potentially result in these leaders entering a third term, occupying their offices unlawfully.
This situation is in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy, participation, and equal opportunities that the NRM holds dear. It also undermines the very foundation of our party, eroding trust and denying other party members the rightful opportunities they deserve.
In light of these concerns, I kindly request the following:
The immediate organization of fresh elections for all positions within the NRM party, in line with the party’s constitution.
A thorough review of the current state of the NRM’s internal structures to ensure that they are robust, transparent, and inclusive, with lawful elections held to fill these positions.
A commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, participation, equal opportunities, inclusivity, equity, and social justice that define the NRM.
I believe that addressing these issues promptly is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our party and ensuring that we continue to stand as a beacon of democracy and progress in our nation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response and actions regarding these concerns.
Sincerely,
Akampurira Isaac Rukanda
NRM PARTY MEMBER
TEL: 0740 425 196