By Jamillah Kemigisa
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is set for tomorrow’s anticipated parliamentary primary elections across Uganda. With over 72,000 villages preparing to participate, the party’s Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning against electoral malpractice and pledged to uphold transparency and order throughout the exercise.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala on Tuesday, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, assured the country that the primaries are on course despite minor logistical hurdles. “We are 98% ready. We’ve conducted elections in tougher environments before. This one will proceed smoothly,” he said confidently.
According to the Commission’s roadmap, voting will begin with the District Woman MP races, followed by the Constituency MP contests. The process will be conducted by lining up behind candidates, starting with a roll call at 10:00 AM. Voting will take place from noon to 2:00 PM, with results expected before 4:00 PM.
In the Karamoja region, however, polling will start earlier—at 9:00 AM—due to unique weather patterns and pastoral movements. “By 11:00 AM, it rains and many people are already on the move with cattle, sometimes crossing into Kenya,” Dr. Odoi explained.
To ensure credibility, the NRM EC has laid out strict guidelines. The use of outdated registers is prohibited—only newly compiled registers, reportedly 98% complete, will be accepted. Over 800,000 Declaration of Results forms have been printed, and every candidate is mandated to deploy two agents to receive signed result forms. Megaphones will also be used in large villages to rally voter turnout.
The Commission has also cracked down on malpractice. Voter bribery and the illegal ferrying of supporters are banned, and any candidate found inciting chaos will face immediate disqualification. “No candidate is bigger than the party,” Dr. Odoi emphasized. “Results from polling stations found to have irregularities will be canceled and fresh elections ordered.”
Security has been beefed up, particularly in previously volatile districts like Mubende, Sembabule, Tororo County, and Rwampara. “No one is above the law. Police are ready to act against any form of disruption,” warned Dr. Odoi.
In an effort to rebuild trust in the party’s internal processes, the Commission has reshuffled registrars in 67 districts and suspended 14 sub-county registrars over incompetence. Fresh deployments have been made in key areas such as Rukiga, Bugiri, Jinja City, and Tororo County.
Despite compressed timelines for training polling officials, Dr. Odoi expressed confidence in the Commission’s preparedness. “We urge candidates and their supporters to remain calm. Let the process take its course. Everyone starts from zero,” he said.
Joint campaigns concluded on Tuesday, July 15, and by evening, trucks were seen loading ballot materials at the NRM EC headquarters in Kampala for nationwide distribution.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the party’s primaries—for LC5 Chairpersons, Municipal and City Mayors—is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025, according to the Commission’s official calendar.
As Uganda gears up for the 2026 general elections, all eyes will be on the NRM’s performance in delivering a peaceful and credible primary process.
