KAMPALA – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has launched its electoral roadmap ahead of the 2026 general elections, outlining a detailed timeline for internal party elections and activities. Speaking at the party headquarters on Plot 10 Kyadondo Road, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong revealed that the party has registered 20.7 million members, representing about 40% of Uganda’s population.
“We have an authentic digitalized members register which we are going to use in our internal party election and for mobilization,” Todwong said. “We have 20.7 million members of the party and over 19.8 million registered party voters.”
According to Todwong, the party’s membership is comprised of 10.8 million females and 9.8 million males, with 7.4 million young people and 1.7 million elderly members registered. The party also has 458,000 members below the age of 18, as registration starts from 16 years onwards.
NRM’s Electoral Roadmap
The party’s Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson, Ambassador James William Kinobe, explained the roadmap, highlighting key activities and timelines. The party will conduct internal elections for various positions, including village chairpersons, members of parliament, and presidential candidates.
“The first activity was to craft the party’s high-level strategic roadmap and key milestones leading to the 2026 general elections,” Kinobe said. “We have completed this exercise, and it is the first item on our roadmap.”
Village-Level Elections
The village-level elections will take place in April 2025, with expression of interest and nominations scheduled for April 24-30, 2025. Campaigns will run from May 1-5, 2025, and polling will take place on May 6, 2025. “This is a day where the entire country of Uganda is going to be painted when all the members go back to the villages,” Kinobe said.
Special Interest Groups
Special interest groups, including youth, people with disabilities, and older persons, will express interest and be nominated between May 19-21, 2025. Campaigns will take place from May 22-23, 2025, and polling will be on May 24, 2025.
Members of Parliament and Flag Bearers
Members of parliament will express interest between June 2-15, 2025, and nominations will take place between June 17-30, 2025. Those going to be contesting in the internal elections to hold the flag of the NRM will also be nominated between June 17-30, 2025. Joint campaigns will take place between July 1-14, 2025, and polling will be on July 16, 2025.
Local Government Councils and Municipality City Division Mayors
Local government councils and municipality city division mayors will express interest between June 2-15, 2025, and nominations will take place between June 17-30, 2025. Campaigns will run from July 1-14, 2025, and elections will be held on July 24, 2025.
Local Government Councils LC4 Municipality City Divisions and Councillors
Local government councils LC4 municipality city divisions and councillors will express interest from July 28 to August 4, 2025. Nominations will take place from August 5-9, 2025, and campaigns will run from August 10-17, 2025. Polling will take place on August 18, 2025.
Local Government Councils LC3, Town Councils, and Municipal Divisions
Local government councils LC3, town councils, and municipal divisions will express interest from July 28 to August 4, 2025. Nominations will take place from August 5-9, 2025, and campaigns will run from August 10-14, 2025. Polling will take place on August 15, 2025.
National Conference and Nominations
The National Conference, the highest organ of the party, will nominate the presidential flag bearer, set up the executive committee, and special interest group flag bearers. The conference will be held on August 22-25, 2025. The National EC nomination will take place between September 3-12, 2025, while the National Commission nomination of members of parliament will be held on September 16-17, 2025. The National Electoral Commission nomination of presidential candidates will take place on October 2-3, 2025.
The NRM’s electoral roadmap provides a clear timeline for internal party elections and activities ahead of the 2026 general elections. With a strong grassroots structure and a large membership base, the party is poised to mobilize its members and supporters in the lead-up to the elections.
“We are launching this roadmap today to guide our members on the activities that the party is going to undertake as we build momentum for the general election in 2026,” Todwong said. “This is a very important milestone in the party.”
