President Museveni has promised to work closely with Independent NRM-leaning MPs, saying the party primaries were not perfect.
“I met with NRM-leaning independent MPs on the sidelines of the NRM MPs-elect retreat in Kyankwanzi,” Museveni said in a brief statement on Thursday.
“We agreed to work together for the good of the NRM and the country. We would have been harsh on NRM members who stood as independent candidates if our party primaries had been perfect but they were not,” he added.
The NRM primaries were marred by violence and counter accusations of rigging.
Hundreds of candidates petitioned party Electoral Commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi for redress in vain.
This compelled many to seek election as Independents.
The NRM Secretary General Kasule Lumumba had vowed a stern action against Independents.
But Museveni believes the circumstances under which the polls were carried out were not the best.
“If these MPs support the mission and principles of our party, we shall work together for the good of our country and region,” Museveni said of the Independent MPs.