NRM Youth, entrepreneur’s league go to polls

__________________

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth and entrepreneurs’ league elections have been held Thursday, September 18, 2025.

This comes after the polls that were scheduled to take place on August 25 were postponed by the party chairperson, Yoweri Museveni, citing gross irregularities that marred the initial polls.

Also, the National Youth chairperson victory secured by Collins Tanga was cancelled by the party elections dispute tribunal and called for fresh elections.

While addressing the media earlier Thursday, Fred Omach, the NRM deputy electoral commission chairperson, revealed that the polls of the youths will take place at the 151 districts of Uganda, adding that only eligible voters would be allowed to vote.

The mode of voting, as it has been in other NRM primaries, is lining up behind a preferred candidate.

Omach cautioned that voting by proxy and crossing from one line to another during the counting would not be allowed.

He also revealed that 15 candidates vying for the different entrepreneurs’ league position had withdrawn from the race, leaving other candidates unopposed.

Enoch Barata, the NRM’s Director of Legal Services, outlined the expected conduct of party flag bearers during the election season.

The guidelines aim to ensure full compliance with both internal party rules and national electoral laws, warning that any breach could lead to candidate disqualification.

Candidates have been instructed to strictly adhere to the electoral regulations as set by the Independent Electoral Commission, while promoting the NRM’s manifesto and political agenda peacefully and lawfully across various platforms.

Barata emphasised the importance of tolerance, cautioning against the use of language that is defamatory, insulting, or incites hatred, violence, public disorder, or insurrection.

“Follow your campaign program as agreed upon with the EC,” Barata advised, adding that while candidates may provide refreshments or food during internal planning meetings, the distribution of alcoholic beverages during the election period should be avoided.

In a parallel development, the party has taken a tough stance on members who lost in the party primaries but have chosen to contest as independents.

Party Secretary General Richard Todwong has directed such individuals to resign from any leadership roles they hold within the NRM.

“So far, and as the nominations are going on, a number of people in the Party Structures leadership, either having participated in the Party primaries and lost or having not participated, have been nominated as independent candidates to participate in the forthcoming elections. This is against the party position. Those leaders who have not been nominated, please desist from presenting your candidature as independents,” Todwong stated.

He directed that all those nominated as independents immediately hand over their offices to either their vice chairpersons or to the relevant NRM Party chairpersons.

With the nomination of candidates ongoing since September 3 and set to conclude on October 16, 2025, the NRM appears determined to strengthen internal discipline and rally full support behind its officially endorsed candidates.

“The purpose of this communication, therefore, is to direct those who have been nominated as independents to resign your positions as party leaders and hand over the offices to your Vice Chairpersons or your respective level NRM Party Chairpersons. Those who do not take heed will also be suspended from participating in electoral activities on behalf of the NRM Party,” Todwong warned.

He said the directive is aimed at maintaining party unity and ensuring effective coordination during campaign activities.