The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has lashed out at some clergy and local leaders in Kisoro district who it said have been openly campaigning for some candidates against others on religious lines.
The party last week endorsed Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu to fly its ticket in the upcoming Bukimbiri county by-election however some of its members decided to defy the party position and contest as independents.
One of the party members, who lost in the party primaries, says he will not step down for the flag bearer.
The First Vice National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Moses Kigongo claimed there are some religious leaders who are fueling this situation in the district by supporting these individuals against the party position.
“It is such sectarian tendencies that forced us to go to the bush to fight past regimes. We ushered in issue-based politics and encouraged unity among all people irrespective of religious affiliations, “he said
He explained members of NRM are identified by core principles of patriotism, pan Africanism, democracy and socio-economic transformation.
Kigongo condemned a section of members, especially some Members of Parliament on the party ticket who support and promote one of the independent candidates.
Kigongo who was addressing a section of Bukimbiri leaders in Kisoro municipality, said the top party leadership will not look on as some elements who claim to associate with the party are defying the party position and the will of the majority by siding with those he called enemies of progress.
“The people of Bukimbiri County voted for Mr. Kwizera to carry their flag and went on to win the general election. The movement therefore cannot tolerate any one who threatens to divide the party by contravening our ideologies and core principles. Errant members will be summoned by the party disciplinary committee and those found culpable shall face punitive measures as a deterrence to other members,” Kigongo said.
He underscored that the Bukimbiri poll is not about individual candidates, instead their focus is on delivering victory for the NRM party.
The deputy National Treasurer at the secretariat, Jacqueline Kyatuhaire reiterated Kigongo’s message of unity and solidarity of the NRM brigade during the vote hunting.
“Bukimbiri will not end tomorrow, I therefore request for soberness and respect for each other during the upcoming rigorous campaign exercise in the coming days,”Kyatuhaire told the leaders.
