KAMPALA, 27 August 2025 – Captain Mike Mukula has announced his withdrawal from the race for National Vice Chairman (Eastern Region) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), citing a campaign process “grossly compromised” by corruption and voter bribery.
In a powerful statement released today, Mukula, the incumbent National Vice Chairman for the region, said he made the “difficult but principled decision” after “careful reflection” and with a “clear conscience.”
“The exercise has been marred by widespread corruption, open voter bribery, and the reckless expenditure of huge sums of money to influence delegates,” Mukula’s statement read. He contended that participating under such circumstances would be to “legitimize an illegality” and “endorse practices that I fundamentally oppose.”
Mukula, a long-serving member of the NRM, said the alleged practices “undermine the very spirit, values, and historical mission upon which the NRM was founded.” He warned that these actions “erode the moral fabric of our Movement and threaten to delegitimize our internal democratic processes.”
The move marks a significant protest against the commercialization of politics within Uganda’s ruling party. Mukula described his withdrawal not as a sign of weakness but as “an act of conviction and political maturity — a clear stand against the commercialization of politics and the corrosion of our party’s values.”
The former Soroti Municipality MP called on the NRM Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), and the Party’s Electoral Commission to “urgently reflect on these challenges and to institute corrective measures.” He urged the party to “reclaim its moral authority” by addressing these vices and initiating reforms to “safeguard our internal democracy, restore integrity, and inspire confidence.”
Despite his withdrawal from the race, Mukula affirmed his continued commitment to the NRM and to President Museveni’s leadership. He stated he would continue to serve the people of Uganda “in whichever capacity I can, guided always by the principles of patriotism, integrity, and service above self.”
The NRM Electoral Commission has yet to comment on Mukula’s allegations or his withdrawal from the race. Mukula was facing several challengers for the Eastern Region Vice Chairmanship, and his sudden exit is likely to reshape the dynamics of the contest. The statement has sparked a debate on social media about the integrity of political processes and the role of money in Ugandan politics.
