NRM Sets September 8 for Fresh Primaries in Seven Constituencies

The Electoral Commission of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has scheduled September 8, 2025, to conduct fresh primary elections in seven constituencies where irregularities were discovered during the party’s primaries.

The decision follows a review by the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal, chaired by lawyer John Musiime, which nullified results in 16 constituencies from the July 17, 2025, primaries. In some areas, the tribunal reinstated candidates who had been unfairly denied victory, while in others, it ordered fresh polls.

Addressing the media in Kampala on Monday, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi said the commission is ready to organise credible elections in the affected constituencies. He explained that in Buyende District, voters will return to the polls for the Woman MP race in 56 villages. 

This follows a petition by Achom Robina Kaima, who contested results that declared Sarah Namulondo the flag bearer with 80,685 votes against her 24,952. The tribunal found that the results had been interfered with, allegedly by the Resident District Commissioner and Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, in favour of Namulondo.

Fresh elections will also take place in Ntungamo Municipality in seven villages after the nullification of Yona Musinguzi’s victory, and in Namayingo South Constituency in four villages where petitioners Willy Oumo and Moses Barasa successfully argued that no elections had been conducted in Bumeru, Sidome B, Namavuddu and Halaba villages.

In Rubabo County, voting will be repeated in six villages, while in Bukono Constituency, Namutumba District, residents of Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county will also return to the polls following a petition by the State Minister for Housing, Persis Namuganza.

Dr Odoi added that elections will further be conducted in Nagongera Town Council and for the Soroti Division mayoral flag bearer, after the initial candidates abandoned the positions upon securing jobs in the civil service. 

The NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson also released a status report on the party’s internal electoral process ahead of the 2026 general elections. He confirmed that the Central Executive Committee elections held last week at Kololo marked the climax of a process that began on May 6, 2025. All nine positions were successfully filled, and the party’s presidential flagbearer was confirmed.

He noted that 62 out of 80 executive positions in special organs have so far been filled, though gaps remain in the Youth and Entrepreneurs Leagues. Of the 20 Special Interest Group MP positions, 15 have been filled, while youth representation is still pending. 

Dr Odoi urged parliamentary and LC V or City mayoral flag bearers to collect their official notification letters from the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters without delay.

Looking ahead, primaries for regional delegates to the National Older Persons Council are scheduled for September 25, followed by elections for the National Youth Council Committee on September 30.

According to Dr. Odoi, preparations for vote protection at all electoral levels will run from September 2025 until March 2026. He called for unity, vigilance and active participation, stressing that a strong internal process will ensure the NRM remains ready and well-positioned for the 2026 general elections.