Long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader, Capt. Mike Mukula, has announced his withdrawal from the race for the position of NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, citing corruption and commercialization of the campaign process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mukula said he had reached the decision after “careful reflection, sober consideration, and with a clear conscience,” noting that the contest had been undermined by “widespread corruption, open voter bribery, and the reckless expenditure of huge sums of money to influence delegates.”
“To participate under such circumstances would be to legitimize an illegality and to endorse practices that I fundamentally oppose,” Mukula said. “I therefore choose principle over expediency, conscience over convenience, and integrity over position.”
The veteran politician, who has served as NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda since 2015, stressed that his decision should not be mistaken for weakness or indifference but rather a stand against the “corrosion of the party’s values.”
Mukula, a former State Minister for Health and long-time mobilizer in the east, said he remains loyal to the party and to President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership, pledging to continue serving Uganda “guided always by the principles of patriotism, integrity, and service above self.”
Calls for Reforms
Mukula used the opportunity to urge the NRM leadership to confront the growing influence of money in its internal politics. He called on the Party Chairman, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), and the NRM Electoral Commission to urgently address what he described as “vices that erode the moral fabric of our Movement.”
“It is imperative that the NRM reclaims its moral authority by addressing these vices and initiating reforms that will safeguard our internal democracy, restore integrity, and inspire confidence among our members and the wider population,” he said.
Following his withdrawal, Mukula threw his weight behind Hon. David Calvin Echodu, Member of Parliament for Soroti City West, whom he endorsed as his preferred candidate for the vice chairmanship.
Sources within the party say Mukula’s endorsement could significantly reshape the dynamics of the race, given his influence and political networks across Eastern Uganda.
Party at a Crossroads
Mukula’s decision comes as the NRM prepares for crucial internal elections to fill regional leadership positions ahead of the 2026 general elections. His withdrawal highlights growing concerns about the role of money in politics, even within the ruling party that has long emphasized discipline, unity, and ideological clarity.
Analysts say Mukula’s exit may intensify calls within the NRM for reforms to restore transparency in internal processes, while also testing the ability of younger leaders like Echodu to consolidate support in the region.
“I remain steadfast in my commitment to the NRM, to the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and to the continued transformation of Eastern Uganda and the nation at large,” Mukula concluded in his statement.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src=” fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
