By Waiswa Michael Baluye

Uganda’s political landscape has been profoundly shaped by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). From its origins as a liberation movement to its current role as a dominant political force, the NRM’s trajectory offers a compelling case study in political evolution. This article explores a hypothesis on the NRM’s journey, examining its genesis, objectives, historical phases, internal democratic processes, and charting a potential path forward.

The Genesis of a Movement

The National Resistance Movement, as it stands today, is not merely a political party but the culmination of protracted struggles by the Ugandan people against cycles of injustice, exploitation, and debilitating sectarian divisions. Its roots delve deep into the intellectual ferment of the 1960s student movements and the political experiences of former parties like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), and Kabaka Yekka (KY). This was a period characterized by pervasive ethnic and religious sectarianism, and the systemic marginalization of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Under the visionary leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM, then primarily known as the National Resistance Army (NRA), launched and successfully waged a five-year protracted people’s war from 1981 to 1986. This armed struggle was a direct, revolutionary response to the pervasive political instability and profound governance failures that plagued Uganda throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

Following the triumphant capture of Kampala in January 1986, the NRA seamlessly transitioned into the NRM, consolidating power and instituting a new political order. This new order was fundamentally aimed at restoring stability, fostering democracy, and rebuilding national unity. The NRM distinguished itself by positioning itself as a unifier, a restorer of peace, and a steadfast proponent of democratic principles, evolving into the dominant political organization it is today. Its unique blend of clear political, military, and organizational principles, all geared towards national unity and socio-economic transformation, set it apart.

Core Mandate: The NRM’s Enduring Objectives

Central to understanding the NRM’s evolution and continued relevance are its broad objectives, which aim at the holistic transformation of Uganda. These include:

•             Mobilizing Ugandans to support a peaceful, united, democratic, industrialized, and prosperous nation.

•             Consolidating democracy and constitutional governance.

•             Maintaining peace, security, and the protection of persons and property.

•             Promoting national unity, patriotism, and pan-Africanism.

•             Fostering socio-economic transformation through modernization and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.

•             Upholding the crucial principles of transparency, accountability, integrity, consensus building, and merit in governance.

A Journey Through Time: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The NRM’s trajectory can be understood in three distinct yet interconnected phases:

Yesterday (1986 Onwards): The NRM emerged as a formidable liberation movement, dedicating itself to ending sectarianism and marginalization. Post-1986, it consolidated its hard-won victory and spearheaded the establishment of a “movement” political system. This system was founded on the principles of decentralization and participatory democracy, laying the groundwork for Uganda’s recovery and initiating a profound socio-economic transformation.

Today (Current Era): In the present day, the NRM has successfully steered Uganda through decades of relative stability, implementing significant economic reforms and orchestrating impressive infrastructural development. Its current manifesto is a blueprint for accelerating socio-economic transformation, with a strong focus on wealth creation, job creation, enhancing education, strengthening national security, and pursuing comprehensive governance reforms. The party remains the principal guarantor of Uganda’s ambitious Vision 2040, which aims to elevate the nation to a middle-income country status.

Tomorrow (Future Trajectory): Looking ahead, the NRM prioritizes further modernization of the economy, focusing on fully monetizing an economy largely based on subsistence, emphasizing value addition in agriculture, and driving industrial development.

Crucially, it aims to expand and deepen democratic governance across all levels of society. The party recognizes the imperative to continually adapt and strengthen its internal democracy and inclusivity to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs and aspirations of all Ugandans.

Upholding Internal Democracy: The Electoral Process

Integral to the NRM’s structure and its claim to democratic principles is its robust system of internal elections. These elections are conducted at various levels, from the village and parish to the district and city structures, ensuring broad-based participation. The party’s voting method often emphasizes transparency, commonly utilizing public lining up behind candidates rather than secret ballots, to reinforce accountability.

There are clear procedures for candidate nomination, meticulous voter verification, and active agent participation to ensure credible outcomes. The NRM continually works to tighten its election processes, aiming to promote free and fair primaries and, in so doing, strengthen democratic governance within the party itself.

Charting the Future: The Way Forward for the Party

For the NRM to continue its legacy and effectively steer Uganda towards its stated aspirations, several strategic imperatives emerge:

Strengthen Internal Democracy: This is paramount. It involves enhancing transparency and inclusivity in electoral processes to grow legitimacy and participation. A key suggestion is to ensure strict adherence to the party’s electoral registers, making internal voting exclusive to bona fide party members at specific voting locations.

Furthermore, I suggested that the National Executive Committee (NEC), under the guidance of the National Chairperson (President Museveni), directly elect members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), rather than having the CEC elected by the potentially unwieldy National Conference. This would streamline decision-making and enhance coherence.

Enhance Socio-Economic Transformation: Deepening the implementation of policies that directly focus on wealth creation, job creation, improving education and health outcomes, and accelerating infrastructural development is critical for broad-based prosperity.

Promote Unity and Patriotism: The party must continue fostering national cohesion and pan-African ideals to unite Uganda’s diverse communities, mitigating any divisive forces.

Respond to Emerging Challenges: Proactively addressing pressing issues such as youth unemployment, corruption, the continuous need for governance reforms, and adapting to global economic changes will be crucial for maintaining public trust and national progress.

Sustain Vision 2040: A continued focus on technological innovation, industrialization, and the sustainable use of natural resources is essential for realizing Uganda’s long-term development goals.

Engage Youth and Marginalized Groups: Empowering previously marginalized groups politically and economically is not just a matter of social justice but also vital for ensuring broad-based development and inclusive participation in the nation’s future.

In conclusion, the NRM’s journey from a liberation movement to a dominant political force is a testament to its adaptive capacity and a consistent focus on national unity and socio-economic transformation.

As the NRM looks to “Tomorrow,” its ability to navigate emerging complexities, uphold its founding principles, and continue to adapt its internal mechanisms and policy approaches will undoubtedly determine its enduring relevance and significantly shape Uganda’s future trajectory.

Mr. Waiswa Michael Baluye is the coordinator ONC in Buyende district