NRM Primaries Kick Off Amidst Delays, Security Concerns

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, a pivotal step toward the 2026 general elections, kicked off today across Uganda, with thousands of candidates vying for the party’s flagbearer positions for parliamentary seats.

Despite planning by the NRM Secretariat, the day has been marked by delayed voter turnouts and heightened security measures to address potential violence in identified hotspots.

By 8:00 AM, polling stations in Wakiso had received election materials, with presiding officers and police personnel present. However, voter turnout was notably low, with no voters reported at several stations. The calm atmosphere contrasted with the district’s history of electoral tensions, prompting police deployments to maintain order.  

In Kampala, at Kalinabiri Two polling station, NRM official Ivan Akandwanaho conducted a roll call for 602 registered voters, ticking names without requiring National Identification Cards, raising concerns about verification accuracy due to the lack of photo IDs in the current register.  

At Kalinabiri One, only police were present, with no voters or officials. Candidates in the race include Herbert Burora Anderson, Margret Zziwa, Shukla Mukesh, Ssenyonyi Herbert, and Ivan Kabeedha.  

In Gulu, The Industrial Area Cell, identified as a hotspot due to the high-profile contest between musician-turned-politician Bosmic Joyce Otim and incumbent MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, saw a heavy security presence, including police and UPDF soldiers. Other candidates in the race include Robinson Oryema Ogeri, Pastor Robert Roy Olal, and Denis Okello Oweka.   

The situation in Kabale was concerning, with significant delays reported. At Nyakairima and Bugongi Road polling stations, no election activities were observed by 9:45 AM, with neither polling agents nor voters present. At Kigugo-Kibikuura A and B stations, only four voters, including Grace Ainomugisha, were waiting by 9:55 AM, with no officials in sight.   

Ainomugisha, who arrived at 7:00 AM, expressed frustration over the delays, warning that they could discourage voter participation.  

Candidates vying for the Kabale Municipality MP seat include Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha, Andrew Aja Baryayanga, Michael Byamungu Turyamureeba, and Joseph Mutebire. The district’s publicity secretary, Edison Turyahabwa, noted that declaration forms were missing as of Monday night, potentially contributing to the delays.

In Nakaseke District, NRM District Registrar Paul Tandeka confirmed that voting materials were dispatched to villages by morning with no reported shortages. Verification was set to begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 1:45 PM, with voting starting thereafter. However, by 10:00 AM, polling stations remained empty, with officials only beginning to arrive.

The district, particularly Nakaseke North, is a hotspot following a recent shooting incident involving Dan Komuzaire, an aide to incumbent MP Enock Nyongore, who was injured by bodyguards of rival candidate Phillip Ndamira Tumukunde. District Councillor Jonah Kanyomoozi described the situation as “eerily calm,” with voters expected to arrive closer to the voting start time.

In Arua City, election materials arrived at 6:00 AM, delaying dispatch to sub-counties and villages. Supporters of candidates were active overnight, marching and drumming to mobilise voters. Over 300 armed security personnel, including UPDF and anti-riot police, conducted early morning drills to secure the city.

In Maracha, a vehicle was impounded for allegedly distributing money to voters, while in Koboko Municipality, three individuals, including a local artiste, were arrested for election-related offences. Most polling stations in these areas were empty by 8:30 AM, with voters expected to arrive by 10:00 AM for verification.

Security Concerns and Deployments  

Security remains a top priority, with police deployed across the country to prevent violence, particularly in identified hotspots.

The NRM Electoral Commission and security agencies have mapped areas like Nakaseke North, Katikamu South (Luwero), and Gulu’s Industrial Area Cell as high-risk due to intense rivalries and past incidents.

In Nakaseke, the recent shooting incident prompted heavy deployments of police and UPDF soldiers, with Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima confirming no incidents by morning but maintaining high alert.

There is a heavy deployment of Police in Sembabule district as the National Resistance Movement-NRM party conducts elections for its parliamentary flagbearers.

Armed security personnel are already patrolling the different areas of Sembabule to avert the eventualities of political violence in the area.  

Jane Francis Kagaayi, the Sembabule Resident District Commissioner, says that upon being identified as a political hotspot, security found it necessary to consider the Sembabule district for special deployment for purposes of maintaining order.

Kagaayi says that they have also called in the army to back up the police in securing the entire district during the elections. 

She says they also have in their custody seven people who have been arrested in connection with political violence that has occurred in the area last night

Notably, Sembabule district has recently registered several incidents of political violence characterised by supporters of the various political camps fighting their rivals.

However, Yasin Kirende, one of the aspirants for the party flag for Mawogola County constituency, decries that many of his polling agents suffered violence despite heavy security deployment in the area.

He accuses some local police personnel of bias and operating on the whims of some candidates to suppress their opponents.

“Since last evening, many of our polling agents have been attacked and the police have not helped despite complaining to them. I’m not certain that this election will be fair because the ground has not been levelled for all of us,” he says.  

In Arua City, the significant security presence reflects concerns over supporter clashes, with reports of overnight mobilisation activities raising fears of voter intimidation. The arrests in Koboko and the impounded vehicle in Maracha underscore efforts to curb electoral malpractices like vote-buying. The NRM Electoral Commission has vowed to enforce strict disciplinary measures against any violations, with Dr. Odoi emphasising fairness and transparency.  

The NRM primaries are a critical battleground, given the party’s dominance in Ugandan politics, with its alleged 20.7 million members and a robust grassroots structure. Winning the NRM ticket significantly boosts candidates’ chances in the 2026 general elections. Robust security deployments aim to maintain peace, but concerns over potential violence and electoral irregularities linger.    

Election Day Procedures  

The NRM Electoral Commission, led by Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, outlined a structured process for the primaries, utilising the party’s signature “lining-up” method, where voters physically align behind their preferred candidates.
According to the NRM roadmap released on April 15, the process begins with voter register verification starting at 10:00 AM, followed by voting from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. District registrars were tasked with tallying results at district headquarters, with Declaration of Results (DR) forms signed by candidates’ agents to ensure transparency