The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, has cautioned that the credibility of the ruling party’s internal electoral process is under threat, citing increasing politicisation of village-level registrars as a key risk ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In an interview with Nile Post, Kiwanda pointed to irregularities in the recently concluded party structural elections, especially in Mityana North and some parts of western Uganda.
He said some registrars had abandoned neutrality and were openly aligning with specific aspirants.
“When registrars begin to act as agents of certain aspirants, they compromise the integrity of the entire process,” Kiwanda said.
“This not only breeds mistrust but also fuels unnecessary divisions at the grassroots.”
He urged the party to take urgent corrective measures, warning that the failure to ensure transparency and impartiality in the management of internal elections could trigger a backlash in the primaries.
“If this issue is not addressed quickly and decisively, we risk seeing a surge in independent candidates, especially in areas where aspirants feel cheated or sidelined,” he warned.
His comments reflect a growing unease within NRM ranks, as internal disputes over voter registers, registrar appointments, and grassroots mobilisation begin to surface.
While the party has long claimed to be a bastion of internal democracy, critics and some insiders have questioned the mechanisms through which candidates are vetted and elected at various levels.
Kiwanda called for a review of how registrars are selected, urging the party’s top leadership to insulate the process from political influence and ensure a level playing field.
“We must restore confidence in the system. Internal democracy begins with trust, and if our members cannot trust the process, they will find other paths to the ballot,” he said.
His remarks come as the NRM begins preparations for a new round of primaries, a crucial process that will determine the party’s flag bearers for parliamentary and local government positions.
With the party still enjoying broad national support but facing growing pressure in some regions, any appearance of unfairness in internal elections could cost it dearly at the polls.
Kiwanda also warned that if the party leadership ignores early signs of trouble, NRM could lose ground in key constituencies to independent candidates or opposition challengers who may exploit the internal discontent.
“The discipline and unity of our structures are what have kept us strong,” he said. “But if we start to erode that foundation with mistrust and favouritism, we are giving away what we have built over the years.”
As the 2026 elections draw nearer, NRM is facing a test not only of its external political strength but also of the health of its internal democratic practices.
For party stalwarts like Kiwanda, the message is clear: reform or risk rupture.