NRM Barazas to start on Tuesday

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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus endorsed a countrywide rollout of public community meetings known as village barazas, intended to mobilise party members to actively participate in the ongoing voter register display exercise.

The resolution was reached during the caucus’s routine monthly meeting held at State House, Entebbe, where the NRM Secretariat presented its plan to conduct the barazas starting Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in all villages across Uganda.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament on Friday, May 2, the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua, emphasised that the exercise will allow NRM members to verify and correct their particulars in the voters’ register, including names and telephone numbers among other details.

“This baraza will grant an opportunity for us to correct particulars, mainly names and phone numbers,” Obua said. “However, there will be no opportunity to register new members during this exercise. The NRM, for the first time in its history, now has a credible village-by-village voter register derived from a comprehensive member registration process.”

President Museveni, top party leaders retreat to villages for voter verification.

According to Obua, all NRM leaders and members, from the highest to the grassroots levels, are expected to retreat to their home villages to participate.

Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua. (Courtesy)

The effort will be led by the NRM National Chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni, who is scheduled to take part in his local village baraza.

“The exercise will be led by none other than His Excellency the President himself. He will retreat to his upcountry home and engage directly with his village baraza,” Obua said.

The baraza strategy is both a logistical and symbolic move to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2026 elections.



President Museveni reinforced the fresh drive during the caucus meeting and later echoed his message in a tweet shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“This afternoon at State House Entebbe, I met with members of the NRM caucus to discuss, among other things, the upcoming village barazas on May 6, 2025. I urged them to monitor government programs and vigorously fight corruption, which has become a recurring issue raised during my zonal tours. It is fundamental for all NRM leaders to prioritise transparency and integrity as we engage with our communities. We should listen to their concerns and tackle those issues head-on,” reads Museveni's post, accompanied by several photographs.

According to Obua, the President used the meeting to raise two key concerns: the need to strengthen monitoring of government programs and the urgency of combating corruption, particularly in the implementation of grassroots interventions.

“He made two fundamental calls,” Obua said. “First, to enhance the monitoring and follow-up of government programs, especially at the grassroots level. And second, to intensify the fight against corruption.”

Museveni referenced concerns he has repeatedly heard from citizens during his ongoing zonal tours across the country. These include reports of irregularities in the Parish Development Model (PDM), where some beneficiaries received less than the expected sh1m or were subjected to unexplained deductions.

“In many areas, people complained of receiving less than the promised amount,” Obua noted. “Such challenges demand serious leadership engagement and follow-up.”

NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong. (Courtesy)

On Saturday, May 3, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong confirmed that both President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni will actively participate in the Tuesday village structure elections and barazas.

Their involvement was announced during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters on Plot 10, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero. “We are pleased to confirm that the National Chairman, President Kaguta Museveni, and First Lady Mama Janet Museveni will be present at their respective village events,” Todwong said.

During the same press conference, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi issued formal guidelines for the conduct of the barazas and the elections of party structures, including the Local Council one (LC1) Chairperson flag bearers at the 72,000 NRM polling stations nationwide.

“This is not just a voter verification exercise, but it is a cornerstone for internal democracy. The process must be transparent and guided by rules,” Dr Tanga Odoi said.

This afternoon at State House Entebbe, I met with members of the NRM caucus to discuss, among other things, the upcoming village barazas on May 6, 2025. I urged them to monitor government programs and vigorously fight corruption, which has become a recurring issue raised during my zonal tours.