NRM Party Releases Draft Election Roadmap as Chairman Museveni Renews EC Leadership
Odonga Mathew
Saturday, March 29, 2025
NRM members Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa and Anita Among
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has shared a draft plan for its upcoming internal elections. This announcement came shortly after the party’s National Chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, extended the term of Prof. Fredrick Odoi Tanga as the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission (EC).
The newly restructured Electoral Commission also includes Fred Omachi (Vice Chair), Major James Williams Kinobe, former Abim Woman MP Julian Modesta Auma, workers’ representative James Tweheyo, Minister Jane Babiha Alisemera, and Zaitun Driwaru.
This draft roadmap outlines activities for selecting NRM candidates for positions such as Members of Parliament (MPs), local government councils, city mayors, and special interest groups (SIGs). However, it still needs to be officially approved by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) on April 2, 2025.
Key Highlights from the Draft Roadmap
The roadmap proposes that candidates for various positions—including MPs and local leaders—hold joint campaign rallies. While this could help in saving time and resources, it may also lead to chaos and media controversies, potentially damaging the party’s image.
The selection for NRM’s candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament is scheduled to take place between May 20 and 23, 2026. The current Speaker, Anita Among, and her Deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, are likely to be maintained, following NRM’s usual practice of allowing top leaders to complete two terms. However, if a change is needed, new candidates will be chosen during this period.
Later in the process, the NRM flag bearers for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) will be selected from August 20 to 24, 2026. This will be the last activity in the roadmap.
Main Activities in the Roadmap
April – May 2025
April 15–30: Interested people collect nomination forms for local government positions.
April 15 – May 28: Voter mobilization and register display.
May 2–14: Candidate nominations for local councils.
May 15–22: Joint campaigns for local council positions.
May 18–30: District leadership conferences.
May 24–25: SIG primaries at the village level.
May 24–31: Voting for local council candidates.
May 26 – June 1: Endorsement of SIG village candidates.
June – July 2025
June 2–15: Nomination forms for MPs, LC V Chairpersons, and City Mayors.
June 10–12: SIG primaries at the parish level.
June 16–30: Candidate nominations for MPs and city leaders.
July 1–14: Joint campaigns for MPs and other leaders.
July 20 – Sept 15: Final endorsement of flagbearers.
August – September 2025
August 3–4: SIG primaries at the district/city level.
August 22–25: Election of NRM presidential flagbearer and national leadership.
September 3 – Oct 3: Presentation of the presidential candidate to the National Executive Council (NEC).
September 2025 – February 2026
Sept 1 – Feb 28: Campaigns for presidential, parliamentary, and local government candidates.
Jan 12 – Feb 9, 2026: General elections polling period.
March 2026 – August 2026
March 1–31: Collection and analysis of general election results.
May 20–22: Election of NRM Parliamentary Caucus leadership.
May 20–23: Internal vote for Speaker and Deputy Speaker flagbearers.
August 20–24: Primaries for NRM’s EALA candidates.
