NRM Poised For A Big Win As Speaker Anita Among Drives Reconciliation

 December 13, 2025   |    71 views

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) looks set for a commanding performance in the upcoming 2026 general elections as a series of reconciliation efforts and strategic withdrawals reshape the political terrain. At the centre of this push for unity is Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who as the party’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), has taken a highly visible role in mediating disputes and encouraging alignment behind official NRM flagbearers.

Among’s leadership comes at a critical moment for the party, which has been working to heal internal rifts following controversial and sometimes acrimonious primaries earlier this year. As part of this effort, many aspirants especially those inclined toward independent candidacies have publicly stepped down in favour of NRM candidates in several regions.  

These developments follow broader efforts by senior NRM figures including National Vice Chairperson Alhaji Moses Kigongo who has discouragd members who lost primaries from contesting as independents, a practice party leadership says undermines cohesion and endangers consolidated vote power.  

Speaker Anita Among’s enhanced role within the party began in August 2025, when she was elected 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) within the party’s Central Executive Committee. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni publicly endorsed her elevation and highlighted the importance of collective unity and shared purpose among party leaders.  

Political analysts now describe Among as a game changer in NRM politics not only because of her institutional position but also due to her active role in bridging internal divisions. Her influence extends beyond Parliament.she has been instrumental in softening opposition from within and encouraging candidates to align with the party’s official tickets rather than splintering the vote. Observers say her strategic engagement has helped neutralise potential independent threats and consolidated support for NRM-aligned candidates countrywide.

While some independent campaigns remain in districts where several NRM losers rejected withdrawal directives, party leadership continues to emphasise reconciliation over exclusion, signalling that maintaining unity remains the priority.  

President Museveni, for his part, has praised the broader reconciliation drive and signalled satisfaction with the efforts of the Central Executive Committee. With the NRM leadership now visibly united and independents and opposition candidates i stepping aside in key areas, the party appears well positioned to secure strong results across parliamentary and local council contests in 2026.

Beyond internal consolidation, the ruling party has also benefited from defections from the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), which has seen several of its nominated candidates and members abandon their party tickets for the NRM. The most recent high profile defection occurred in Hoima City just yesterday , when Allan Clifford Tugume , NUP’s flag-bearer for the Bugahya County Parliamentary seat —mpublicly joined the NRM and announced his withdrawal from the contest at a rally with President Yoweri Museveni. Speaker Anita Among was instrumental in welcoming Tugume and facilitating his transition. Over 50 youth supporters also reportedly crossed to the ruling party at the same event.  

Other defections of NUP members to the NRM have been reported across regions, where some former opposition supporters and flag-bearers have surrendered their NUP cards and pledged support for NRM campaigns