Kampala, Uganda | May 13, 2025
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has removed close to one million individuals from its membership register in what party officials are calling a major internal reform effort to strengthen grassroots structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing the media on Monday from the party headquarters in Kampala, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi revealed that 958,336 names had been eliminated from the party’s records. The move follows last week’s village-level internal elections, which served as the first phase in the party’s electoral roadmap.
“The people removed from the register are either deceased or have crossed over to other political formations,” said Dr. Odoi. “This update is essential for enhancing the integrity and transparency of our internal electoral processes.”
The mass update comes after grassroots polls were held in more than 72,000 villages, laying the foundation for the NRM’s nationwide organizational network. The party now shifts focus to upcoming elections at higher administrative levels.
The next phase of voting includes:
- Sub-county elections on May 16
- City division polls on May 19
- District-level elections on May 23
- Special interest group polls (youth, elderly, and persons with disabilities) on May 24
The party’s internal electoral process will culminate with national leadership elections scheduled from August 22 to 25.
Dr. Odoi also acknowledged operational challenges during the village elections, including reports of missing names from the voter rolls, unregistered candidates, and isolated cases of illegal voting. He assured the public that repeat elections would be conducted in affected areas this Wednesday.
“We recognize there were issues, but our focus remains on establishing credible and effective structures to position the NRM for success in 2026,” he added.
Political observers suggest that the purge of inactive or ineligible members reflects a shift toward a more data-driven and strategic approach within the party. This cleanup, they argue, could help prevent the internal disputes and irregularities that have troubled previous NRM primaries.
As the party rolls out its internal electoral calendar, NRM leaders are aiming to present a unified, well-organized, and transparent front heading into the national election season.