The leaders and members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in Hoima City have expressed concern over what they have termed as increased internal bickering in their ranks, which has affected cohesion.

The concern was raised by former Hoima Municipality Member of Parliament, Dr Lawrence Bategeka, during a meeting of the Hoima City LC1 and NRM Chairpersons Development Foundation in Hoima City. 

According to Dr Bategeka, there is a growing habit of some party members submitting false reports to the Party leadership against colleagues whom they think are acting contrary to their interests.

Former Hoima Municipality Member of Parliament, Dr Lawrence Bategeka, said that the implementation of some government projects is failing in Hoima City and Hoima district in general because some party leaders in the area spend most of their time fighting for issues which do not necessarily help in the development of the area.

Dr Bategeka added that there is a need for the NRM party National Chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, to address the challenge of intrigue and disunity among NRM members in Hoima. He appealed to party members in Hoima City and Bunyoro region at large to work in harmony so as to tap into the opportunities presented by the ongoing development of the oil and gas sector in the Bunyoro region.

According to Dr Bategeka, internal conflicts and divisions among NRM party members creates room for the Opposition to take advantage and gain popularity over the NRM in Hoima City.

Dr Bategeka argued that Hoima City lacks a strong NRM leader to mobilise and take their voice to the national level, noting that this is affecting the support base of the ruling party.

Dr Bategeka observed that as Uganda gets set for commercial oil production by 2025 as per the government projection, Hoima City requires foresighted leaders to guide and mobilise the local community to prepare and benefit from immense opportunities in all sectors.

Another senior NRM party member, Muhammed Kiyimba Kimera, said the lack of unity because of selfish interests among the leaders is also costing the party’s support.

According to Kiyimba, such conflicts among the leaders create a vacuum for corrupt officials to misuse government funds for their personal interests.

She said due to disunity, the community has not been adequately sensitized about programmes that were initiated by the government to empower them such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.

This meeting was called to close ranks and find ways to restore harmony and unity among NRM party members for the good of the party and consolidate its support base in the face of surging opposition support in Hoima City.