NRM Primaries: Momentum for a decisive 2026 victory

By Ofwono Opondo

Like or hate it, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party is the thing. 

The NRM voter registration verification update this week, the election for party structures and LC1 flag-bearers at the village grassroots level have generated political momentum. 

Preliminary results indicate a massive turnout across the country, with most areas’ positions agreed upon through mutual consensus. 

The contest for the LC1 chairperson flag-bearer, on account of the village stamp, which a chairperson controls for transactions like livestock and land sale, was the most competitive and contentious, with some candidates even fainting upon losing. 

With this massive turnout and participation, NRM should be confident that it is nearer to victory in next year’s general election. 

Our political adversaries can only look for a few spoils to share among themselves, although the public should not be very surprised when they throw public tantrums. 
Ordinarily, if all these positions are fully constituted, NRM ought to have at the very least 2,232,000 village-grassroots leaders. 

Unfortunately, perhaps due to poor mobilisation, and considering that all positions are voluntary in many villages, the executive committees of the five party organs, otherwise called leagues, remained unfilled. 

These grassroots activities are great for general mobilisation, vital for strengthening and sustaining party organisation.

Ofwono Opondo

 
A credible and up-to-date register indicating a member’s serial number, full name, date of birth, national identity card and voter registration details, now allows NRM to identify and engage genuine members, and also look out for fish beyond its borders. 

In these times of widespread heightened political anger, cynicism and polarisation, NRM must lead the way towards ameliorating inclusive discourse on harmony, especially during the election of MP flag-bearers. 

As NRM heads to the next series of internal elections for parishes, sub-counties, districts and primaries for MPs, it must anticipate and plan better how to manage the headwinds from winners and the unsuccessful. 

It is usually at the upper stages that the stakes are really high, evoking unimaginable violence. Going by past experiences, hordes of ministers and sitting MPs are destined to be felled by novice newcomers, especially when they are seen to have unfairly dipped their hands in the public till. 

The match-up between former Parliament speaker of 10 years, Rebecca Kadaga, and incumbent Annet Anita Among, both with the political pluck to settle scores, for the second national vice-chairperson (female) and member NRM Central Executive Committee is a race to watch. 

Together, and in co-ordination, Ugandans can make those being accused of corruption and other forms of malfeasance pay by voters receiving the salt, sugar, soap, money and whatever else may be distributed, but deny giving them the votes they so much need to further feather their nests.