The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has officially reinstated Hon. Musa Francis Ecweru as the NRM District Chairperson for Amuria, days after he formally withdrew his independent candidature from the upcoming 2026 parliamentary race for Amuria County.
The decision, communicated through an official letter signed by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, comes as a major political development in the Teso sub-region, restoring Ecweru’s position at the helm of the party’s leadership in Amuria District.
The letter, dated 8th November 2025, acknowledges receipt of Hon. Ecweru’s earlier communication notifying the Secretariat of his withdrawal from the Amuria County MP race, where he had intended to contest as an independent following a disputed party primary election.
“The Secretary General of the party, Richard Todwong, has written saying that I must resume fully my responsibility as a chairperson,” Ecweru revealed during a briefing with party leaders and local journalists in Amuria Town.
“The letter says: NRM District Chairperson, Amuria District. Attention, Honorable Ecweru Musa Francis. I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 7th November 2025, in which you stated that you have withdrawn your candidature for the Member of Parliament, Amuria County, on an independent ticket and are now working to support the NRM flag bearers,” Ecweru quoted.
In the letter, the Secretary General further directed: “In view of the above, I write to permit you to resume your work as the NRM District Chairman for Amuria District.”
Copies of the correspondence were also shared with the District Executive Committee (DEC) members, as well as the Directors of Legal Affairs, Administration, and Finance at the NRM Secretariat, affirming the official nature of Ecweru’s reinstatement.
Addressing media in Amuria Yesterday, the long-serving minister expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the trust and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening party structures at the grassroots.
“Indeed, we had handed over because I was independent, and there was no way I could administer the day-to-day running of party activities while standing outside the party line,” Ecweru explained. “Now that it is not the case, we are going to resume and make sure that the party does its work very well.”
He emphasized that his withdrawal was a gesture of loyalty and discipline toward the NRM and a demonstration of respect for the party’s internal mechanisms.
“I wish all the NRM candidates the best in the elections,” he added. “That is my position. I thank all those who have been wishing me well and continue to wish me well. I also wish the country peaceful elections come January 15, 2026.”
The reinstatement marks a full political turnaround for Hon. Ecweru, who just weeks earlier had relinquished his chairmanship following his declaration to run as an independent candidate.
That decision prompted the NRM Secretariat to direct all district leaders contesting outside the party to step down from their posts, a policy reaffirmed by NRM Director for Mobilization, Hon. Rose Mary Sseninde, during a press conference in Soroti City ahead of President Museveni’s recent visit to Teso.
At the time, Sseninde explained that any structure leader contesting as an independent must relinquish their position, as guided by the National Chairman and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
NRM officials in Amuria have hailed the move as a significant step toward restoring party unity and consolidating support for the NRM flag bearers in the district.
District Vice Chairperson Okello, who had been acting in Ecweru’s stead, officially handed back the chairmanship duties during a brief ceremony witnessed by party leaders and local council officials.
“When I was standing as an independent, I had assigned the role of chairperson to my vice, who is right here with us,” Ecweru said, acknowledging the seamless leadership transition. “Now that the matter is resolved, we move forward together as one party.”
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