Focus On The NRM Village Elections

Kyambadde Lawrence

Category: Politics

Read Time: 4 mins

Published: 08 May 2025

In the upcoming 2026 elections, as Ugandan prepare to elect their leaders under the Electoral Commission's guidelines, every political party at this moment is working hard to ensure smooth preparations leading up to 2026 without any hindrances to participation in the general elections.

The NRM, the ruling party, is one of the first to begin preparations and has already initiated internal leadership elections at the village level, scheduled for May 6, 2026 following the party’s roadmap.

The party’s elections will also involve their National Chairperson, who is the country’s leader (YKM7), elected from the district where he began his political journey, Rwakitura. The elections will cover 72,000 villages. across Uganda.

Lubaga Sub-County consists of 113 villages, some of which participated in the NRM elections. However, visible irregularities have cast doubt on the credibility of the process due to alleged intimidation and violence which discouraged many potential candidates from opposing the declared winners.

Six villages—Kabowa Central, Wankulukuku Zone, Suuna Zone, Kabawo Zone, Muntundwe 1, and others—conducted elections smoothly, with winners announced. However, Abdallah Kitata, the NRM Chairperson in Lubaga, rejected the results, petitioning the NRM Electoral Commission to nullify the elections and order a re-vote in these villages.

This has sparked tension among NRM supporters and losing candidates at various administrative levels in Lubaga. Some rushed to the offices of the NRM Electoral Commission in Ndorwa, protesting Kitata’s remarks. Kitata has insisted that **tomorrow, Friday he will return to the sub-county to oversee fresh elections in some villages.

The Lubaga Sub-County Speaker, Musah Mbaziira, leading NRM members from the area, clarified that the elections proceeded well. However, Jane Babiha Arisemera, Deputy Head of the NRM Electoral Commission, acknowledged the challenge raised by Kitata, who claimed irregularities and demanded intervention from higher party election officials.

Arisemera listened to the grievances, while Ivan Ssemakula, a known mobilizer, was granted permission to speak. He noted that the chaos stemmed from Kitata’s claims that the NRM was no longer a democratic party

Other NRM members who followed up demanded that the commission reject Kitata’s petition, arguing that the winners were fairly elected and that his complaints were baseless.

Arisemera urged calm, stating that the commission would first meet with Lubaga’s election officials before deciding whether to conduct fresh elections or uphold the initial results.

Party members also criticized Kitata for allegedly using his influence to call senior party officials, interfering in Lubaga’s affairs. They urged NRM leadership to restrain him, warning that his actions could "bury the NRM if not checked early.

After three hours of waiting, the NRM Electoral Commission announced its decision: Kitata’s petition was dismissed and the earlier results were upheld, confirming the winners as legitimate.

Some participants shared their experiences, with a few reportedly injured. One leader collapsed and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

However, despite the Dr. Tanga Odoi-led commission’s ruling against a re-election, Kitata insisted that tomorrow, the NRM in Lubaga will proceed with fresh polls in some villages regardless of the commission’s stance.

Meanwhile, the declared winners urged Kitata to accept defeat arguing that a re-election was impractical at this stage. They are now preparing to begin their party mobilization duties.

According to NRM founders, these elections are crucial for **strengthening the party’s grassroots structure ensuring a solid foundation for the NRM to lead the nation effectively.

Kyambadde Lawrence

Kyambade Lawrence is a journalist with extensive experience in covering community stories, using his deep understanding of local issues to create impactful narratives. His ability to connect with the community and capture the essence of their experiences makes his stories resonate deeply with audiences, often sparking meaningful change and awareness. With a genuine commitment to highlighting the voices of those in his community, Kyambade’s work goes beyond reporting—his stories inspire action and foster a sense of connection, truly making a difference where it matters most.