The NRM vice chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hamson Obua has questioned the loyalty of party members who seek to run as independent after losing in the primaries.
Addressing journalists in Arua, Obua said running as independent would be a disservice to the party.
“If you claim to be a member of NRM who participated in the internal democratic processes and you still say you are loyal to your party, what would be the problem of you listening to what your party is telling you,”Obua said.
On Tuesday, a section of these MPs who lost in the party primaries told journalists that President Museveni has in a meeting held in Arua cleared them to stand as independents.
However, speaking on Wednesday, Obua dismissed the claims, noting that Museveni’s meeting aimed at reaffirming the ruling NRM’s position that those who lost in the primaries cant stand as independents.
“The main purpose of the meeting was meant for the NRM national chairman to make this communication clear. The meeting was an appeal to persuade them not to stand and not a directive because we are alive of the constitutional provision under article 72 of our national constitution,”Obua said.
He was however quick to warn that standing as independents may have implications in future.
“The implication may not be seen now but may even come in the future. Just imagine you defy your party and you contest and there is any future consideration. Imagine I defied the party, I contested. He listened to the party, he did not contest and there is any consideration between the two of us. Who must stand the higher chance? It would be him, not me,” he warned.
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