National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs who defied Party directives on several positions have met the party chairman, President Yoweri Museveni and asked forgiveness.
The rebel MPs opposed various party positions, like the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2017, which sought to remove the presidential age cap.
“We are here as your sons and daughters. We request you to forgive us and we move on,” said Kumi Woman MP, Monica Amoding, on behalf of her 16 colleagues.
At the meeting, attended by the NRM secretary general Justine Lumumba, were MPs Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga West), Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (Kasambya), Muyanja Ssenyonga (Mukono South), Kibalya Maurice (Bugabula South), Sylvia Rwabwogo (Kabarole Woman) and Sam Lyomoki (Workers).
Others were Michael Timuzigu (Kajara), Moses Adome (Jie), Susan Amero (Amuria Woman), James Kaberuka (Kinkizi West), Robert Migadde (Buvuma), Sarah Nakawunde (Mpigi Woman), Evelyn Chemutai (Bukwo Woman), Dennis Sabiiti (Rubanda) and Anthony Semuli (Mubende Municipality).
Museveni welcomed the members back into the fold, saying he would table their request for forgiveness before the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The NRM party, said President Museveni, had foreseen these challenges, choosing to advocate and work for the survival of the black race.
“I joined leadership to support black people to survive and prosper. It is not a career,” he said while stressing the need to focus on the four key principles of the NRM party; patriotism, pan-Africanism, social economic transformation and democracy.
He warned the MPs against preaching parochial politics of identity, guiding that they should instead focus on wealth creation for the people.
“Because people are now waking up, we are having a lot of food, sugar, milk, bananas etc. Do not talk about your tribe or religion but talk about prosperity and wealth creation,” he said.
Ssekibubo told the President that the group was ready to support and work with him. “When duty calls we are here and ready for deployment,” he said.
Tinkasimire, who thanked Lumumba for organising the meeting, said they wanted the NRM to recognise them and they would in return, work for the party. He commended President Museveni for being a father figure and a great leader.
Rwabwogo on her part reiterated her commitment to work with the President while Dr Lyomoki said their presence in Parliament was due to the NRM revolution.
“Without your revolution, we wouldn’t be in that Parliament so thank you for this opportunity and please forgive us,” said Lyomoki.
