Newly elected Members of Parliament who contested as independents have committed to work with the ruling Nrm regime during parliamentary term.
They lncluded 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).
The legislators were received by NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko, marking the beginning of what leaders described as a framework for cooperation going forward.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among commended the lawmakers for taking steps toward collaboration with the ruling party, noting that several of them had previously contested in NRM primaries before opting to stand as independents.
“Some of you participated in the primaries and later chose the independent route, where you successfully earned the trust of your voters,” Among said.
“We appreciate your willingness to work alongside the NRM for the good of the country.”she stated.
Rose Namayanja,described the engagement as part of the NRM’s broader strategy of inclusiveness.
She revealed that out of 67 independent MPs currently in Parliament, 54 previously contested under the NRM primary process a sign of continued ideological alignment.
“Our approach as a party is to work with all leaders who are ready to serve national interests,” Namayanja said.
“Those who have expressed interest in formalizing cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding are making a positive and strategic decision.”she added.
NRM’s Director of Legal Services, Counsel Enoch Barata, called the discussion as a formal cooperation agreement focused on legislative alignment.
“This is not about crossing to the NRM,” Barata said. “It is about signing agreements to cooperate, particularly in supporting resolutions of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.”he stated.
He noted that once the MPs are officially gazetted and sworn in, they will be eligible to formalize the cooperation agreements.
Barata noted that early engagement demonstrates political pragmatism on the part of the independents.
“Recognizing the importance of working with the majority party in Parliament is a practical step toward ensuring that the interests of their constituents are effectively represented,” he said.
“NRM is a broad-based party and remains open to ideas that promote national development.”he added.