The National Resistance Movement (@NRMOnline)’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) recently sat, discussed and endorsed the current Speaker Rt Hon Anitah Among and Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa to continue the job in the next parliament.
The Central Executive Committee explained reasons for the endorsement. The reasons haven’t been challenged point by point by grassroots or incoming Parliamentary caucus members — signaling meaningful consensus in the wider NRM family.
Membership and allegiance to the NRM Party means that in spite of one’s views and ambition, the Party comes first and this is vital to avoid rancor and discord in the Party and wider body politic of the Country.
In his his 1990 speech in Johannesburg shortly after release from prison, Mandela reaffirmed this principle. He was concrete in stating his unwavering allegiance to the African National Congress and stated: “I am a loyal and disciplined member of the African National Congress. I am therefore in full agreement with all of its objectives, strategies and tactics.”
While explaining the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (the ANC’s armed wing), Mandela stressed that any actions must remain under the party’s control.
He said, “I made it clear that if I formed the organization I would at all times subject it to the political guidance of the ANC and would not undertake any different form of activity from that contemplated without the consent of the ANC.”
I therefore expect Parliamentarians to hold steady and support decision of NRM’s Central Executive Committee to keep the current leadership of Parliament.
Morrison Rwakakamba is a coffee farmer based in Rukungiri
