The National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadres under the umbrella of ‘Let Us Fight Illiteracy and Ignorance Association, formerly known as Abataasoma Group, have threatened to quit the ruling party, citing a lack of support.
Led by their national chairperson, John Bukenya, the cadres on Friday, October 27, 2023, while briefing journalists in Nakulabye, Kampala announced plans to quit NRM or be allowed to meet with President Museveni within two months.
Bukenya’s group accused NRM Secretary General of ignoring their plea to meet President Museveni and failing to facilitate their mobilization activities.
“We have written letters to the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja; we have written letters to the NRM secretary, General Richard Todwong; and on many occasions, we have approached them for help, but all in vain,” Bukenya said.
Claiming to have been funding the group using his own money during campaigns, Bukenya said he also obtained various fuel debts.
He claimed President Yoweri Museveni once asked for their operational budget and subsequently pledged to give them support; unfortunately, they have been blocked from accessing him.
“As the chairman of the group, I’m fully drained, and I no longer have the capacity to support it. We pledge not to engage with any NRM office until we meet the Party President to resolve our issues,” said Bukenya.
Samuel Nuwagira, the coordinator for the Abataasoma group in Kazo, Ibanda, and Kamwenge districts, says they have given the NRM secretariat until January 2024 to allow them to meet the president or denounce their party.
“We have done our best, and we are tired of approaching top government offices for support, but all in vain,” Nuwagira said.
The Abataasoma (translated as the uneducated) is a local pressure group claiming to have been conducting grassroots mobilization for the ruling party in the country.
The Friday press briefing had representations from over 34 districts, including Ibanda, Kazo,Kitagwenda, Kasese, Butambala, Bukomansimbi, Lwengo, Kamuli, Kampala, and Jinja, among others.
