Political Parties Struggle to Contain Power Battles Within Their Ranks

What the report says

Uganda’s major political parties are again facing scrutiny over internal power struggles, with Nile Post reporting tensions inside the NRM, NUP and FDC that blur the line between party administration and political ambition. The article says these disputes have raised wider questions about whether party institutions are strong enough to manage competing interests without breaking down. It also points to recurring friction over authority, decision-making and control of party structures.

The report highlights the NRM’s view that internal disagreements are unavoidable, but says the party has tried to reduce them through constitutional changes and a more defined role for the Secretary General. NRM communications director Emmanuel Dombo is quoted as saying the party aimed to separate administration from other political responsibilities. A different perspective comes from PPP chairman Sadam Gayira, who argues that parties often bring together people with different goals and that unresolved disagreements are a major weakness.

For NUP, the story recalls tensions between party president Robert Kyagulanyi and former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, including controversy over a parliamentary service award that prompted debate about accountability and leadership. For the FDC, Nile Post says long-running divisions between the Najjanankumbi leadership and a Besigye-aligned faction have deepened into disputes over legitimacy and control, including a July 2023 incident in which then chairman Wasswa Biriggwa reportedly escaped party headquarters after a mob blocked access. The broader issue, according to the article, is whether parties can survive when personal ambition overtakes institutional discipline.