Several newly elected independent-leaning Members of Parliament have openly expressed interest in working with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the 12th Parliament, signaling early political realignments as the new House takes shape.
The MPs — Esther Achom (Serere), Peter Ojiji (Pingire), Mercy Kanyesigye (National Female Youth), Rose Mutonyi (Manafwa), Ronald Mutego (Butaleja), Emmanuel Illukol (Bukora County), Anthony Tumusiime (Isingiro), Spellanza Baguma (Kyenjojo) and Richard Ssenteza (Buikwe) — were on Wednesday escorted to the NRM headquarters by the Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Among.
At the party headquarters, the legislators were received by senior NRM leaders led by the Deputy Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Namayanja Rose Nsereko, in what insiders described as a key engagement on future parliamentary cooperation.
Addressing the meeting, Speaker Among commended the MPs for reaching out to the ruling party, noting that many of them had earlier contested in NRM primaries before standing as independents.
“Some of you participated in the primaries but did not succeed and chose to stand as independents. You were fortunate enough to win the confidence of the people. We thank you for showing interest in working with the mighty party,” Among said.
She further praised the MPs for their contribution to President Yoweri Museveni’s victory in the 2026 general elections, assuring them of a warm reception within the party’s broader framework.
Deputy Secretary General Namayanja echoed the message, saying the independents had taken a “wise decision” by seeking cooperation with the NRM.
“As a party, we work with everybody. There are 67 independents in Parliament, and 54 of them participated in NRM primaries. That alone shows where their political roots are. I thank those who have shown interest in signing Memoranda of Understanding on how we shall cooperate with the NRM in the next five years,” Namayanja said.
She clarified that once candidates chose to stand as independents, the party could not officially support them during campaigns.
“When someone stands as an independent, they do not carry our flag and we cannot canvass votes for them. Financial support is reserved for official flag bearers. Those holding party positions were also required to step aside. Now that the elections are over, we want everyone to come together and take the country forward,” she added.
NRM Director for Legal Services, Counsel Enoch Barata, stressed that the engagement does not amount to the independents crossing to the ruling party.
“This cooperation does not mean that anyone is changing their party to NRM. It is about entering an agreement to cooperate on key issues, especially supporting resolutions of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus,” Barata explained.
He noted that the MPs will formally sign cooperation MOUs after being gazetted and sworn in.
“We thank you for recognizing early that cooperation with the majority party in Parliament is in the interest of the people you represent. NRM is a mass party, and we welcome all ideas that will move our people and the country forward,” Barata said.
The development underscores the growing influence of the ruling party in shaping the legislative agenda of the incoming Parliament, even beyond its official ranks