Veteran politician Capt. Mike Mukula has explained his withdrawal from the race for the position of National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda.
In a statement issued just hours before voting, Mukula — who has held the same position for more than a decade — said his decision followed “careful reflection, sober consideration, and with a clear conscience.”
“The ongoing campaign process has been grossly compromised. The exercise has been marred by widespread corruption, open voter bribery, and the reckless expenditure of huge sums of money to influence delegates,” Mukula said. “Such practices undermine the very spirit, values, and historical mission upon which the NRM was founded.”
Mukula argued that staying in the race would amount to legitimizing practices he fundamentally opposes. He described his withdrawal as “an act of conviction and political maturity — a clear stand against the commercialization of politics and the corrosion of our party’s values.”
The long-serving politician, once a minister and one of the most recognizable figures in the NRM’s leadership structure, urged the party’s top organs to take immediate action.
He called on President Yoweri Museveni, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), and the NRM Electoral Commission to “urgently reflect on these challenges and institute corrective measures” to restore integrity in the party’s internal democracy.
Despite his withdrawal, Mukula reaffirmed loyalty to President Museveni and commitment to the NRM cause.
“I remain steadfast in my commitment to the NRM, to the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and to the continued transformation of Eastern Uganda and the nation at large,” he said.
Mukula’s exit from the race is a major shake-up in the ongoing NRM delegates’ conference, which is electing new members to the powerful Central Executive Committee. His withdrawal is expected to boost the chances of rival candidate Calvin Echodu, who had mounted a spirited challenge in the Eastern Uganda race.
The development has further fueled debate about the growing influence of money in Ugandan politics, with Mukula’s parting message serving as one of the strongest rebukes yet from within the ruling party’s senior ranks.
