A total of over 250 NRM structure leaders in Serere County have petitioned the office of Party Secretary General Richard Todwong to consider handing over the party’s flag to Late Hon Patrick Okabe’s Son, Emmanuel Omoding.
The leaders who were gathered on Tuesday January 3, 2023 want the National Party Leadership comes to resolve the matter of the NRM Flag before the day of nominations and be guided by the wish of the grassroots mobilisers.
The members also add that the son of the late Honorable Bp Patrick Okabe be considered as the NRM Flag Bearer and subsquently the NRM candidate in the upcoming Serere County By-elections.
Charles Erimu the NRM chairperson Atiira Sub County who moved the motion to have the petition signed by structure members asked the Secretary General to consinder the position of the NRM party structure.
“We have today as the Serere County NRM family (Village NRM Chairpersons, NRM Parish Chairpersons, Sub County NRM Chairpersons, Chairpersons of NRM leagues and NRM mobilisers) to resolve and present to our position as party leaders who by the powers of our national party constitution empowered to make recommendations to the national party secretariat on any matter that effects or may affect the operations of the NRM party,” Erimu told TNN after endorsing Omoding.
Stephen Otage the NRM Chairperson Serere County commended the NRM Structures for the decision saying as a county leader he wishes that the decision of the structure leaders be considered.
“We wish to thank you most sincerely and the entire NRM fraternity in the country for your continued effort to serve and support the Gallant NRM party and government,” Otage said
The party leaders say the demise of Hon Patrick Okabe has left a very big leadership gap that requires continuity of his services.
“Aware of the fact that the late Hon Okabe had a lot of international connections and we believe that for remaining years, his Son could effectively represent the people of Serere County with reasons that, he has been part and parcel of the international resource mobilization team,” Otage added.
“Furthermore, on human reasons, the community of Serere and we the NRM leaders are aware that the family has greatly lost the core persons who have been the principal supporters of the original programs. Therefore we the NRM leaders having consulted widely and looked at the common position wish to deliver to you the plea of the people of Serere Constituency,” Otage noted.
Micheal Olobo the NRM Chairperson Serere recently also asked the Party Leaders to consider coming to listen to the plea of Serere People.
He said that the NRM primaries were marred by irregularities that have led to division in the party.
Late Hon. Okabe lost the NRM Flag to Philip Oucor in 2020.
Meanwhile, close to 50 NRM supporters who are subscribed to Philip Oucor protested the decision saying its against the NRM party consititution.
The team matched to the office of Serere RDC to intervene into the decision of NRM structures.
Philip Oucor on the otherhand during an interview with NBS Television said that snatching a flag from him will mean that the party does not value the over 18,000 voters who voted for him during the NRM primaries
Serere RDC Harriet Nakamiya called for calm amongst supporters of both Okabe’s son and Philip Oucor.