NRM top organ attracts 280 applicants

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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, has revealed that 280 party members have picked expression of interest forms to vie for various positions of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), their topmost decision-making organ.

During an interaction with media at the NRM party headquarters in Kampala on Friday (July 4), Odoi said that whereas 280 hopefuls had so far returned completed forms by 2:00 pm, his team expected the number to rise to 300 by 5 pm.

“Since we had earlier alone indicated that we shall stop at 5:00 pm, maybe some are still on the way,” he added.

The hopefuls will contest for the 17 elective positions of the party out of 28 positions in CEC.

The elective positions in CEC include One party chairperson, two national vice chairpersons, six regional vice chairpersons, and eight league chairpersons.

The non-elective positions are: secretary general, deputy secretary general, National treasurer, deputy secretary general, chairperson of the NRM parliamentary caucus and all chairpersons of the special league committees, chairpersons of the commissions.

Meanwhile, Odoi has urged all candidates for electoral positions in the party, save for some ministers and district chairpersons, to continue holding joint campaigns for the forthcoming primary elections to bring unity among them and curb violence.

“Joint campaigns are a must; they are mandated by law. It is something the Constitution emphasises because we want to bring unity within the party members but where these campaigns have failed, we are allowing the candidates to go on their own,” he said.

He said special permission will be given to some of the leaders, especially ministers and district chairpersons, who have to be in office working.

“If they explain it (working in office) well, we will also allow them to campaign alone,” he said.

Tanga stated that they have already permitted the vice president Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen (rtd) Moses Ali and ICT minister Chris Baryomunsi to go alone for various reasons.

“The others, unless otherwise they will continue holding joint campaigns. We call upon all candidates to respect each other and abide by the law,” Odoi said.

He also revealed that the elections for NRM parliamentary flag bearers have been shifted from July 16, 2025, to July 17, 2025, to accommodate elections by the National Electoral Commission for the leaders of the persons with disabilities at the sub-county level.