BREAKING! Minister Ecweru Steps Down from Amuria County MP Race

In a surprising political development, the State Minister for Works and Transport, Honorable Musa Ecweru, has officially stepped down from the Amuria County Parliamentary race.

The long-serving minister says his decision is aimed at fostering unity within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and supporting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s re-election bid.

By 10:30 a.m on Tuesday morning, 11th November, 2025, hundreds of NRM supporters had gathered at the party offices in Amuria Town Council to receive the news of the minister’s withdrawal. Many appeared emotional, with some breaking into tears, as Ecweru’s agents arrived to submit his official withdrawal letter.

Ecweru, who had chosen to run as an independent candidate after losing the NRM flag to his longtime rival and former UPC member turned NRM candidate, Samuel Ediau, announced his decision before the press in Amuria Town Council. Speaking in a calm and composed tone, the minister emphasized that his move was guided by a deep sense of party discipline and the need to maintain unity and stability within the NRM.

“We may have our individual differences, but we can’t allow them to affect the President and the NRM party,” Ecweru said, addressing journalists and supporters. “This decision was not easy, but I believe it is the right one for our country and our party.”

His official agent, Mr. Okiror Nathan, presented Ecweru’s withdrawal letter to the Amuria District Registrar, Mr. Othieno Daniel Kiracho, on behalf of the minister. The registrar acknowledged receipt of the letter, describing it as a lawful and timely decision under the Electoral Commission’s campaign guidelines.

Supporters who witnessed the handover applauded the gesture, calling Ecweru’s decision a mark of selflessness and political maturity. Some were seen nodding in agreement as they praised him for prioritizing party unity over personal ambition.

In his address, Ecweru reaffirmed his loyalty to the NRM and to President Museveni, saying his focus would now shift to mobilizing support for the President and other NRM candidates across the region.

“It doesn’t affect the country when I lose a seat,” he said, “but the country could be destabilized if President Museveni loses the presidential race. I have therefore stepped down to mobilize for the President and to protect the peace and stability we have achieved under his leadership.”

The minister further pledged his full support to Samuel Ediau, the official NRM flag bearer for Amuria County, promising to work closely with him and other party candidates to consolidate NRM’s grassroots structures.

“I will support the NRM flag bearers to strengthen unity and the party’s base,” he stated, drawing applause from his supporters.

Before his withdrawal, Ecweru served as the NRM Chairman for Amuria District, a role he relinquished earlier after the party directed all independent candidates holding leadership positions to step aside.

Political observers have since lauded his move as a demonstration of political discipline and commitment to the party’s ideology. They believe Ecweru’s decision could help the NRM regain its full support base in Amuria County, which has previously seen divisions during election cycles.

Hon. Musa Ecweru’s withdrawal marks a significant shift in Amuria’s political landscape and signals a renewed effort by the ruling party to present a united front ahead of the 2026 general elections.