‘Don’t Be Misled,We Know Well That NRM Has Been Losing Kawempe North Seat For 25 years-Ofwono Opondo

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has raised concerns over growing indiscipline and entitlement within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), warning that such issues are affecting the party’s direction.

Speaking ahead of the Kawempe North by-election, Opondo expressed frustration over what he termed as “bad manners” among some party members, emphasizing that internal disorder and unrealistic expectations were weakening the NRM.

“There is increasingly bad manners in the NRM. There is a lot of entitlement and loss of direction,” he stated.

Opondo also pointed out that NRM has not won the Kawempe North parliamentary seat in 25 years, yet the party continues to field candidates despite historical challenges in the constituency. He suggested that, rather than expecting a sudden victory, the party’s participation should be viewed as a show of resilience and relevance.

“The NRM hasn’t won that seat in a long time (25 years). My understanding was that NRM was going to participate mainly to show that it is a good party,” he explained.

Kawempe North has long been an opposition stronghold, with the National Unity Platform (NUP) and other opposition parties maintaining a firm grip on the area. Given this reality, Opondo’s remarks suggest that NRM’s focus should be on rebuilding its image and strengthening its principles rather than chasing an unlikely win.

His statement also reflects deeper concerns about internal party discipline and leadership direction. Reports of misconduct and behavior damaging to the NRM’s reputation have surfaced in recent months, raising questions about how the party is handling election preparations.

Opondo’s criticism highlights a growing debate within the party—whether the NRM should focus on internal reform or continue to push for electoral victories in opposition-dominated areas. His warning about “bad manners” suggests that unchecked behavior within the party could be undermining its long-term success.