NRM Faces Political Test After Anita Among's Shifting Influence

In the intricate tapestry of Ugandan politics, power, loyalty, and control are paramount. Beyond formal institutions, influential individuals often act as crucial architects of political stability and mobilization. For the long-ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), former Speaker Anita Annet Among has recently personified this dynamic.

Among’s ascent to prominence was a testament to her development as a political operator, deeply integrated into the NRM’s machinery for mobilization, parliamentary management, and elite coordination. This raises a critical question for the NRM: what happens to President Museveni’s control over Parliament and the party’s political apparatus if Among’s influence wanes or she withdraws from the political centre stage?

President Museveni has historically secured his dominance through a sophisticated blend of patronage, regional balancing, and institutional management. While Parliament operates with constitutional independence, its effective functioning has often been intertwined with this broader system of political control. However, sustaining parliamentary cohesion in Uganda transcends formal authority; it relies heavily on persuasion, networking, resource mobilization, and strategic alliance-building – the essence of political mobilization.

Within political circles, Among has been perceived as more than just a Speaker. Supporters credit her with bolstering NRM unity in Parliament, energizing women and youth groups, extending influence in eastern Uganda, and rallying support during sensitive political junctures. Conversely, critics suggest her sway was amplified by access to state power and informal patronage networks, with allegations of her providing financial or political facilitation to MPs and grassroots actors, a common, albeit publicly unverified, narrative in Ugandan politics.

The perception of influence, regardless of its basis, holds significant political weight. If a substantial number of legislators believe a figure possesses power, resources, and access, that perception itself can translate into genuine leverage. This underscores the importance of Parliament, where the NRM’s numerical majority requires active coordination and mediation to ensure loyalty and cohesion.

Without effective internal brokers, even dominant parties are susceptible to fragmentation, manifesting not as outright rebellion, but as silent dissent. MPs who feel unsupported or disconnected from power centres can become unpredictable, fostering internal competition and opportunistic shifts. Systems that become overly reliant on charismatic individuals risk instability when those figures falter.

If Among served as a key informal stabiliser, her diminished influence without an alternative coordination structure could have far-reaching consequences. This presents President Museveni with a complex challenge: pursuing anti-corruption measures against powerful figures can bolster accountability, especially amid public frustration, but it also carries risks, particularly in a pre-election period sensitive to loyalty and grassroots mobilization.

While the NRM has weathered internal tensions historically through Museveni’s adept management of competing power centres, long-ruling parties often become vulnerable when institutional discipline erodes and personal networks vie for influence. The fundamental question remains whether the NRM has cultivated institutions robust enough to withstand the weakening of powerful brokers, or if its stability remains intrinsically tied to personalities. The ultimate test lies in whether power truly resides within institutions or within the individuals who quietly ensure their function.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)