Stop Your Confusion: Namyalo, Tanga Odoi Clarify Vote Protection Roles, Warn Party Flag Bearers To Leave Museveni Agents Alone

By Frank Kamuntu

The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and overall Coordinator of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Vote Protection Team, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, alongside the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Dr Tanga Odoi, have this morning addressed the media, detailing the ruling party’s elaborate strategy to safeguard the presidential vote ahead of the elections.

Speaking at the press conference this morning at the ONC offices in Kyambogo, Hajjat Namyalo clarified that vote protection goes far beyond the appointment of polling agents, describing it as a structured, nationwide operation rooted at grassroots level.

“The vote protection exercise is an elaborate process which does not only mean appointing agents for the President and flag bearer for NRM. It involves dedicated service to the party by agents and coordinators from the village, parish, sub-county and district levels,” Namyalo said.

She explained that since polling stations in Uganda are organized under parishes, the NRM has adopted a clear organogram that integrates both party and electoral structures. At the district level, the District Registrar works jointly with the District ONC Coordinator to supervise the process and manage information flow down to the grassroots.

“The district registrar and district ONC coordinator work in tandem to manage and disseminate all information up to the grassroots, including handling facilitation for subordinates,” she noted.

According to Namyalo, similar coordination continues at sub-county and parish levels, where registrars and ONC coordinators oversee agents directly deployed at polling stations. She emphasized that the core focus of the training currently underway across the country is the protection of the presidential vote for the NRM flag bearer, President Museveni.

“We are training agents for the President and flag bearer of NRM. We are not training agents for parliamentary flag bearers. Their principal goal is to protect the presidential vote of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Namyalo stressed.

She cautioned NRM parliamentary candidates against interfering with presidential agents, saying each level of contest must organize its own structures.

“No NRM parliamentary flag bearer, whether minister or otherwise, should push or cajole an agent trained to protect the President’s vote. They should find their own agents. Ours are strictly for the presidential flag bearer,” she said.

On facilitation, Namyalo underscored accountability, noting that all funds for presidential vote protection will pass through official district accounts and be handed over transparently to registrars and ONC coordinators without any deductions.

“There is no charging of VAT and no removal of even one shilling meant for agents. Every office handling this process is catered for. What we are protecting is the vote,” she said.

She added that each polling station will have three trained agents, two primary agents and one standby, to ensure continuity in case of emergencies. Agents, she said, are being instructed to follow Electoral Commission guidelines while remaining firm and fearless.

“We shall be law-abiding, but firm. We shall protect what belongs to NRM without fear or favor,” Namyalo declared.

Addressing the same press conference, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi praised Namyalo for her leadership and organization of the exercise, revealing that verification of agent lists showed minimal challenges.

“So far, from our research, the lists sent to districts have only about 0.5 percent issues, which is minimal. That shows the work done has been excellent,” Tanga Odoi said.

He attributed some minor discrepancies to unavoidable circumstances, including health-related issues affecting a few selected agents.

“If an agent gives birth or is appointed a presiding officer, that is not sabotage; it is biology or good character. In such cases, we simply replace them,” he explained.

Dr Tanga Odoi also asserted that President Museveni remains the dominant political force, citing internal assessments and research.

“Our candidate is a leading candidate by far. All trajectories show he is heading towards 80 percent. That kind of strength breeds political envy. We do not have competitors; we have participants,” he said.

He warned against violence from both opposition actors and any NRM supporters who might attempt to intimidate voters.

“We condemn all violence. Any NRM member trying to cause chaos that deters our supporters from voting is hereby warned,” Tanga Odoi cautioned.

He specifically called for calm in areas that have experienced tension, urging self-styled political enforcers to withdraw and allow a peaceful environment for voting.

“I want towns and municipalities to be peaceful for President Museveni to enjoy his votes,” he said.

Dr Tanga Odoi concluded by commending Hajjat Namyalo for her performance so far and thanked Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa for chairing key coordination meetings.

“I thank Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo for the work she has done so far. She has done very well, and we are moving very well as a party,” he said.