By Jamil Kazibwe
There is growing unease within the ranks of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) over what many perceive as a dangerous combination of institutional laxity and operational incompetence by the party’s Electoral Commission. As internal electoral activities intensify across the country, critical questions are being raised about the absence of a functional party register—a foundational tool for any credible political process.
It is alarming that preliminary exercises such as the expression of interest and the issuance of nomination forms are being conducted by parish-level registrars without any formal mechanism to verify party membership. This glaring loophole not only threatens the legitimacy of the ongoing processes but also opens the door for external interference. Without a verified register, how can one credibly determine who is eligible to contest for leadership positions under the NRM banner?
What compounds the frustration is that significant public and party resources—reportedly in the billions—have already been invested in the development of these registers. Yet, they remain unavailable in the over 72,000 villages where these foundational activities are taking place ahead of the critical NRM structure and LC1 elections scheduled for May 6, 2025.
This vacuum has not gone unnoticed by the opposition. On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly evident that opposition strategists are exploiting this vulnerability by quietly encouraging their supporters to participate in NRM processes. The intent is not merely to compete but to infiltrate and potentially sabotage the party’s grassroots structures from within.
That such a strategic failure is unfolding despite the NRM Secretariat having had five full years to prepare is both baffling and unacceptable. One would expect that with ample time and resources at its disposal, the Secretariat would have anticipated these risks and instituted safeguards accordingly. Instead, what we are witnessing is a leadership seemingly overwhelmed by its own mandate.
If this situation is not urgently addressed, the NRM risks not only internal confusion but a potential compromise of its political machinery at the grassroots level. It is imperative that the party leadership takes immediate and decisive action to restore order, accountability, and credibility to this process—before it is too late.
This opinion is written by Kazibwe Jamil, a staunch Museveni supporter and committed NRM leader.
