Related Articles
BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
There is growing fissures among the ruling National Resistance Movement Party officials in Arua district as an independent candidate, Eng Dr Gabriel Gadson Ajedra turns up the heat wave on the flag bearer Charity Kevin Lenia, a newcomer onto the political stage.
At the center of the unease is the issue of the use of President Yoweri Museveni’s photograph and the NRM party symbol for canvassing for votes.
Most independents who earlier participated in the NRM primary elections ended up unsatisfied with the results, prompting the decision to contest as independents.
But of most concern to the NRM camp is Ajedra’s decision to skip the primary elections altogether and nominate as independent parliamentary candidate.
That subtle decision of the former investment state minister is causing sleepless nights for NRM party officials in Vurra constituency that the tension has boiled out of the pot into the public domain.
The district NRM chairman, Boniface Alioni, was the first to be forced to burst out with calls on the Secretary General, Richard Todwong to revise the protocols allowing the usage of party symbols, colour and President Museveni’s portrait.
To maintain clarity, respect party identity and prevent any misrepresentation or confusion among voters, Todwong on October 22, 2025 issued a memorandum to all party officials, candidates and NRM leaning independents to guide on the same.
According to his letter, all independent candidates who choose to express support and campaign for the NRM presidential candidate and party chairman on the campaign materials must strictly ensure that only the official NRM symbol, the bus, is used to represent him.
The secretary general guided that the candidates should display and promote their own independent symbols on one side of their poster and the other side with the NRM presidential candidate and the symbol of the bus.
Alioni contests that allowing independents to use RNM symbols is confusing the electorate, especially after President Museveni met prospective independents and asked them to support flag bearers.
“Seven of them stepped aside but those who chose to disrespect the president are not our friends,” Alioni said.
But the independents have come swinging with furry, blasting the Arua district NRM chairman of exhibiting political ignorance.
Ajedra asserted that he is exercising his constitutional right to either seek for elective post as independent or belong to a political party.
“The Secretary General’s letter is in plain English. My symbol is a candle, signifying that for five years Vurra has been in darkness, now I am bringing light to the people,” said Ajedra.
He said his coming back in aimed at revitalization stalled development projects including rural electrification, road works, health and education infrastructure, local revenue enhancements and reorganization of the streamlining of the local administration to improve service delivery.
“Most of the projects either stalled at the stage where I left them four years ago or have never been implemented. This is a leadership gap that I am coming back to address,” Ajedra emphasized.
