The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has begun nominations for its internal grassroots elections, targeting party structures at the village level and Local Council I (LC I) flag bearers.
This follows the release of the party’s official political and electoral roadmap, which outlines the nomination, campaign, and polling phases leading up to the May 6 vote.
According to the NRM Electoral Commission, the nomination period runs from April 24 to April 30, 2025, during which aspirants for parish-level positions and LC I flag bearer roles are expected to express interest through the Parish Registrar.
Campaigning is set to follow from May 1 to May 5, ahead of polling day on May 6.
The elections will cover key positions in the party’s village-level structures, including executive committees for the mainstream party leadership and its special organs such as the Youth League.
The party has urged all members interested in contesting to approach their respective Parish Registrars during the nomination window.
In a bid to manage interest, the NRM has introduced an expression of interest fee for some positions. While no fee will be charged for those vying for party structures at the village level, candidates seeking to become LC I Chairperson flag bearers must pay a non-refundable Shs10,000.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to using the “lining up” method for voting—a system where voters publicly queue behind their preferred candidates.
Though common in Uganda, the approach has long attracted criticism from observers who say it exposes voters to undue influence and lacks the secrecy of a secret ballot.
Despite the controversies, the NRM maintains that the lining-up vote reflects grassroots democracy and enables quicker tabulation of results. The Village Registrar will oversee polling at each designated NRM village polling station.
Party leaders see the elections as a strategic move to consolidate the NRM’s support base ahead of upcoming national contests.
The outcomes are expected to reshape the party’s local leadership and influence how it engages with communities across Uganda.
The Electoral Commission has urged all members to participate actively, calling the exercise a cornerstone of the NRM’s internal democratic process.