FORT PORTAL – Internal Affairs Minister, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire has advised National Resistance Movement-NRM leaders as well as supporters – demanding for change to follow the set up procedures.
Otafiire said that NRM was built on systems and clear procedures, which must be respected and followed by all members of the party.
According to Otafiire – the founders of the party were not naive to put in place a system of the NRM leadership. He said that people who feel dissatisfied with the party systems can only form their own party to compete with the NRM.
“The leadership of the party must be chosen by the population and members of the party. If you don’t like the party, go and make yours and we compete,” said Otafiire.
Otafiire was speaking on Tuesday at a function to celebrate the 37th NRM Liberation Day at Nyabukara Youth Centre in Fort Portal City. The function was brought together a section of NRM supporters in the Rwenzori region, under their Patriots Association.
Without mentioning names, he wondered how some people who were not, even members of the party could make suggestions that President Yoweri Museveni should leave leadership for the young generation.
Recently, Otafiire attacked the First Son; Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for suggesting that it was time for the young generation to assume leadership of the country from the NRM party. Otafiire’s attack of Muhoozi was a reaction to the flamboyant general’s description of NRM as a ‘reactionary party,’ which had nothing left to offer to the young generation.
Otafiire said it was wrong for Muhoozi to downplay the party that has been in power since 1986. Otafiire echoed vice President Jessica Alupo’s repeated statement that Museveni was the NRM’s preferred choice for a candidate – come 2026 presidential elections.
Through a tweet, Muhoozi responded – saying that he would not sit and watch while the minister sabotaged the young generation from running the affairs of the country.
Whereas Muhoozi has not formally declared his presidential bid, he has through numerous social media posts hinted at succeeding his father – taking advantage of state resources to tour different parts of the country – a situation the opposition has described as diversionary.