
There are now talks of a launch or a rebrand possibly of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling regime party since 1986. That it will become the National Progressive Movement (NPM). It is just taking one coined phrase of our time and pinning away the old. The “Resistance” is changed with “Progressive”.
There been people mocking the “Resistance” as it is an established party and cannot resist anything at this point. It is the opposition and the renegades activists that is resisting or defying the current regime these days. However, the NRM is far from progressive and more conservative in any manner of approach. That’s why it’s just using a popular word and pining it in the name.
We know the NRM came in with “No Change” and in the 2016 campaign they used the slogan “Steady Progress” and in the last one it was “Securing Your Future”. So, if you are looking at the slogans and programs, they have become stale and also lack of progression. That is the deprecating acts of lingering in power. The NPM will only change the logo and possible the name. The party and the junta government isn’t really changing.
If this happens because of Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba … he might turn the NRM into NPM and it hopefully become his own vehicle and ends up like Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM). Because, his father had one successful party and politicking, which turned into the NRM. Before that the UPM was launched and had a terrible election in 1980.
So, it is not like all things the father has done was a victory and a winning strategy. Heck, the father wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for Obote and how Nyerere gave him a chance to participate in the ending of the Amin government. Therefore, the greatness is given to him by the help of others and him joining forces. The same way he started to rule by a national front and anyone could join it by becoming a part of the NRM. That was a coalition of former leaders of other movements who had also worked to end the Obote regime. Therefore, Museveni was able to politicking and settle grievances with others by giving them titles or offices.
Now, Muhoozi wants to follow his father and it’s striking as the NPM is just a rehash of the NRM. The Yellow will continue, their purge, violence and intolerance for others will persist. The dictatorship doesn’t become saint like because of a name-change. It is a name-change, but not a change in how it operates or what it does. The only progressive about the NPM is the P in the middle of the name. There is no progression or significant change. The same army is violating people, authorities attacking and monitoring the opposition and the table is turned against the civilians.
That’s why there is nothing new in the sphere of things. It is the same, it doesn’t matter if it is heads or tails. It is the same coin and the only thing that changes is that you flipped the coin. The coin is of the same value and same size. Nothing has changed, but the other side of the coin.
We can only hope the NPM would go down in flames and in a total failure like the UPM. Since this would be the first launch and party of Muhoozi. He is a total uncharismatic and has shown no public leadership skills. His an event manager and a soldier for his father. The avenger of his father and not a public figure in another manner.
NRM Versus NPM… more of “no change” and a new figure head of the dynasty. That is not progression or progressive for that matter. This stagnation or status quo. So, a sincere name-change would be National Stability Movement, but that isn’t as “sexy” as Progressive. Peace.














