By Frank KamuntuÂ
National Resistance Movement (NRM) has today held a comprehensive Vote Protectors’ training at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) in Kyambogo, in a major step toward strengthening the party’s preparedness for the 2026 general elections. The exercise brought together regional and district coordinators, and registrars who are expected to cascade the training to polling agents countrywide, with a clear focus on vigilance, integrity and strict adherence to electoral procedures to ensure that every vote is protected.
Opening up this training, ONC Manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo said the initiative aims at building capacity on the ground and preventing vote loss through better coordination and discipline. She emphasized that securing Declaration of Results (DR) forms from every polling station remains a top priority for the party.
“Our focus is to go to the grassroots, train our people and sensitize them on what must be done differently this time,” Hajjat Namyalo said. “What we want most are declaration forms 100 percent of them. We are facilitating our cadres to do their work and to avoid interception. We believe we have the right people, fully committed to the National Chairman and the party.”
The training was attended by senior party and government leaders, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi and NRM National Treasurer Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, among others. Participants were taken through both practical and legal aspects of vote protection, including polling station opening procedures, the role of polling agents, vote counting, identification of valid and invalid ballots, and the secure handling and transmission of results.
NRM EC Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi called on vote protectors to exhibit firmness, honesty and total commitment to the party cause, noting that mobilization must be matched with effective protection of the vote.
“Mobilization has already been done very well, right down to the parish level. Now the task is to secure that vote,” Dr. Odoi said. “Vote protection requires discipline and confidence. Anyone who fails the process will be replaced, because this assignment is too important for the future of the party.”
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka emphasized the legal responsibility of polling agents, reminding them that in Uganda elections are conducted, counted and declared at the polling station. He warned agents against absenteeism, wearing party colours on polling day or allowing unauthorized actors to interfere with the process.
“If you are not at the polling station, or if you leave your post, you lose the election,” Kiwanuka said. “Be present before 7:00am, stay until the declaration form is signed, understand the votes you are signing for, and deliver those forms to your supervisors.”
Closing the training, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged participants to replicate the simplified training in their respective districts without deviation. He cautioned against changing vetted polling agents, warned against double agency and stressed the need for strict compliance with the law and non-violence on polling day.
“The responsibility now lies with you to take this knowledge to the grassroots exactly as it is,” Tayebwa said. “We have monitoring mechanisms in place, and accountability will be enforced. Follow the law, remain disciplined and protect the vote.”
With the training concluded, NRM leadership expressed confidence that the party’s vote protection structures are now better prepared to deliver a credible, orderly and transparent electoral process in the 2026 elections, reaffirming that safeguarding democracy begins with preparedness at the polling station.
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