More than 60 Independent Members of Parliament on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ruling National Resistance Movement, creating a formal framework for cooperation in Parliament.
The agreement, signed at the Office of the Government Chief Whip, allows the legislators to participate in NRM parliamentary caucus meetings, support government business and work with the ruling party in implementing its 2026–2031 manifesto. The signing was guided by the party’s Director of Legal Services, Enoch Barata.
The ceremony was witnessed by NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko and the party’s National Treasurer Barbara Nekesa Oundo.
Namayanja said the agreement formalises a working relationship that had already begun before the 12th Parliament was sworn in.
“Many of you contested as independents, but you campaigned alongside President Museveni and contributed to the 71 per cent mandate he received. We are proud of that achievement,” she said.
She added that many of the legislators had approached the party leadership before taking the oath of office to express interest in working with the NRM.
“The Memorandum of Understanding is basically creating a framework of collaboration in implementing the NRM manifesto. Implementation means supporting government positions in Parliament and participating in party activities while carrying out your responsibilities as Members of Parliament,” she said.
Namayanja said the arrangement was based on mutual goodwill, noting that the NRM had entered into similar cooperation agreements with Independent MPs in previous parliaments.
She also said that although the party continues to improve the management of its internal elections, it remains the only political party fielding candidates for nearly every elective position in the country, making its primary elections among the most complex to organise.
Nekesa said the engagement with the Independent legislators began shortly after the general election when Yoweri Kaguta Museveni advised that NRM-leaning Independent MPs be invited to the Kyankwanzi retreat.
She, however, stressed that the agreement should not be interpreted as a defection to the ruling party.
“These Members of Parliament have not crossed to the NRM. What they have done is create a framework to work with the government in power so that services can easily reach their constituents through implementation of the NRM manifesto,” she said.
Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng said the legislators voluntarily sought the cooperation arrangement.
Dr Aceng said the MoU allows the Independent MPs to attend NRM caucus meetings and support the party’s position on government business, including Bills and motions before Parliament.
“As Government Chief Whip, I welcome them and look forward to working together in promoting unity, discipline and effective coordination in Parliament to ensure better service delivery to the population,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Independent legislators, Charles Ngabirano, who also serves as their whip, said the agreement was intended to ensure their constituents benefit from the implementation of the manifesto endorsed by voters.
“Political parties contest elections on the basis of their manifestos, and Ugandans chose the NRM manifesto. As Independent Members of Parliament, our responsibility is to ensure our people benefit from its implementation,” Ngabirano said.
He added that most of the MPs who signed the agreement were former NRM members who had contested the party’s internal elections before standing as independents in the general election.
NRM Director of Legal Services Enoch Barata said all the legislators read and understood the terms of the agreement before signing.
“Nobody has been enticed with rewards or coerced to associate with us,” Barata said.
