With the 2026 general elections drawing near, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has taken a firm step to curb electoral malpractice within its internal structures in Mityana District.
The NRM District Registrar, Faith Tumwebaze, has issued a directive aimed at eliminating conflicts of interest among party officials managing grassroots elections.
The move responds to growing concerns that some local registrars have been overseeing party primaries while also preparing to contest for elective positions—a situation critics argue undermines the integrity and credibility of the party’s internal democracy.
“We cannot allow individuals to be both players and referees in the same contest. That undermines the very principles of internal democracy the party stands for,” Tumwebaze said.
She directed that all party officials intending to run for any elective office in the upcoming polls must immediately resign from their administrative roles to avoid the appearance—or reality—of bias and electoral manipulation.
“This is not about targeting anyone. It’s about maintaining the credibility of the party’s electoral system. We want a level playing field for all aspirants,” she added.
The directive follows a wave of complaints from party members and aspirants across various sub-counties in Mityana, alleging that some NRM registrars were using their positions to influence voter registration, mobilisation, and the vetting of candidates to serve their own political ambitions.
One party member, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said some registrars were openly campaigning while still occupying key positions in the electoral machinery.
“They control the lists, the logistics, and even the returning officers. Where is the fairness in that?” the member asked.
The development reflects a growing awareness within the NRM of the internal divisions and credibility crises that have plagued previous primaries, particularly in central Uganda where opposition support has been gaining ground.
Tumwebaze revealed that the party is drafting new guidelines to ensure a clear separation between those running the electoral process and those seeking office.
These guidelines include the training and deployment of independent registrars who have no personal stake in the primaries.
She also warned that any official found defying the directive would face disciplinary measures from the party's national leadership, including suspension or disqualification from the elections.
“We are working closely with the NRM Secretariat in Kampala to monitor compliance. No one is above the party’s constitution,” Tumwebaze stated.
As the political atmosphere heats up in Mityana—a district known for its shifting loyalties and increasing opposition presence—the NRM’s move to tighten internal controls is being seen as both timely and necessary.
With several aspirants already expressing interest in various positions at local and national levels, the spotlight now turns to how the party will implement these reforms and whether it can strike a balance between accountability and internal cohesion.