The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, hold elections across all 72,000 villages in Uganda to select internal party structure representatives and LC1 flag bearers.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made the announcement in a public address, urging all party members to actively participate in the democratic process.
“Country men and women, especially the Bazzukulu, on Tuesday May 6, the NRM party will conduct elections for internal party structures and for LC1 chairpersons flag bearers,” he said.
The President reiterated that the elections will be held nationwide and emphasized the importance of transparency and community engagement during the process.
Alongside the elections, Barazas—village assemblies—will be held in each village to audit the NRM’s voter registers.
“During the event, we will also hold Barazas to audit our voter registers by reading out the names of registered members and moving those who have passed away or have relocated to other places,” President Museveni said.
He explained that these Barazas will also help the party correct any errors in the registers and update details.
Museveni noted that the updating process will include the addition of members’ phone numbers and National Identification Numbers (NINs).
In describing the voting process, the President clarified that it will be a direct election, despite being previously referred to as an electoral college.
“The village assembly will now elect, although they have used the word ‘Electoral College’ but actually it will be direct election, because everybody will vote. It will be one person, one vote.”
He further stated that voting will be conducted by lining up behind a candidate of choice, and stressed the importance of physical presence during the election.
“Proxy voting is not permitted. You cannot have someone else vote on your behalf. You must be present to vote in person,” President Museveni said.
He called on NRM supporters, especially the youth and local leaders, to show up and fully engage in both the Barazas and the voting.
“I urge all the Bazzukulu and NRM leaders to actively participate in the Balazs within their villages, all members should arrive at their village centers by 10am on May 6, 2025 to engage in these activities.”
President Museveni disclosed that he will personally attend the event in his home village in Rwakitura, while the First Lady will participate from Irenga, Ntungamo.
To ensure full participation by government officials, Museveni confirmed that Monday’s cabinet meeting was cancelled and Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting postponed.
He said these decisions were made to enable ministers and MPs to travel to and engage in their respective communities during this important exercise.
