Former State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi has raised alarm over what he described as a growing infiltration of fraudsters and opportunists locally referred to as ‘bafere’ within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), warning that they are distorting the party’s founding vision.
Appearing on NBS Barometer, Kiwanda said the NRM’s core agenda remains relevant, but it is being undermined by individuals who joined the party solely for personal enrichment.
“The party’s agenda is very fine, but the bafere entered our party and are distorting everything,” Kiwanda said.
He urged party leaders and members to reflect on the values that initially drove the NRA liberation struggle, warning that the same vices they fought against are re-emerging from within.
“Let’s remember what took our party to the bush when it was still NRA. We need to reset, basing on our history,” he added.
Kiwanda also acknowledged the widespread irregularities during the recently concluded NRM primaries, describing some of the scenes as “ugly and embarrassing.”
Captain Francis Babu, another senior figure in the NRM, echoed similar concerns.
He described the irregularities during the primaries as a disgrace not only to the party but to the nation.
“We are ashamed as a party, not just as a party but even the country at large,” Babu said. “The scenes we saw during NRM primaries like that of Lwemiyaga, where contestants who are even related exerted so much force on each other, were appalling.”
Babu further criticized the excessive use of money in the party’s internal politics, warning that such trends are setting a dangerous precedent for the country.
He revealed disturbing incidents where certain individuals were able to manipulate returning officers, dictating results regardless of the actual vote count.
“Some people had power over returning officers. They could call and dictate who to declare winner, despite the actual results,” Babu explained.
He vowed to continue speaking out against such malpractice, even if it comes at personal risk.
“I won’t stop saying the truth, even if it means losing my life,” he declared.
Both leaders called for a deep introspection within the NRM, warning that unless the party confronts these internal crises, it risks losing its ideological foundation and public trust.
