The State Minister for Works and Transport, Hon. Musa Francis Ecweru, has officially handed over his position as National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party Chairperson for Amuria District to his vice chairperson Simon Okello.
The development was confirmed by the NRM Director for Mobilization, Hon. Rose Mary Sseninde, during a press briefing held in Soroti City ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s visit to the Teso Sub-region on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Hon. Ecweru, who has represented Amuria County in Parliament since 2001, lost in the recent NRM primaries to educationist Samuel Ediau.
However, citing serious irregularities and alleged voter malpractice, the minister opted to run as an independent candidate in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, a move that triggered internal party disciplinary action in line with NRM guidelines.
Speaking to journalists, Hon. Sseninde explained that the NRM has a clear policy requiring any party leader who chooses to stand as an independent to vacate their leadership role within the party structures.
“It has been made very clear, categorically clear, that any structure leader who is standing as an independent has to relinquish that position, and the vice takes over,” Sseninde emphasized. “The same applies to Hon. Ecweru, who was our chairman of the party in Amuria. He handed over to his vice because it has been a guidance by the National Chairman and the party leadership.”
She added that the directive from the NRM National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is aimed at maintaining unity, discipline, and loyalty within the party ranks.
“We have made that very clear. I think you saw when he came to the meeting of chairpersons, his colleagues, his very own fellow chairpersons, asked him to walk out and leave the meeting. That is an evident and clear indication that we do not support independence because it is not a sweet language, especially if you contested in the party primaries,” Sseninde noted.
Her statement reinforces the NRM’s long-standing policy discouraging members from running as independents after losing in primaries, a practice often seen as undermining party cohesion.
Inside sources in Amuria indicate that Ecweru’s decision to run as an independent has caused mixed reactions within local NRM circles.
While some loyalists view him as a seasoned leader who deserves another chance, others believe his independent bid contradicts the party’s internal democratic processes.
Ecweru, known for his hands-on leadership and humanitarian background as a former disaster preparedness minister, has been credited for spearheading development projects in Amuria and neighboring districts.
His loss in the primaries shocked many supporters, but his determination to remain in the race reflects his enduring influence in local politics.
President Museveni’s upcoming visit to the region is expected to reinforce party unity and rally support for official NRM flag bearers across Teso.
Party insiders hint that Museveni may use the platform to urge all NRM-leaning independents to reconcile with the party and support its structures.
For Ecweru, the handover marks both a political sacrifice and a strategic move to reclaim the confidence of the electorate while balancing loyalty to the ruling party that has defined much of his political journey.
“I remain NRM at heart,” Ecweru reportedly told supporters recently. “But above all, my mission is to serve the people of Amuria to the best of my ability.”
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