Kampala, Uganda | In a bold step toward strengthening its internal electoral systems, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has eliminated 958,336 names from its official register, signaling a major shakeup in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
The party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, announced the development on Monday at the NRM headquarters in Kampala, revealing that the recently concluded village-level party elections exposed thousands of anomalies in the register.
The cleanup, he said, targeted individuals who are deceased or no longer affiliated with the party, particularly those who had crossed over to opposition groups.
Dr. Odoi emphasized that the exercise was necessary to restore integrity to the party’s internal processes, stating that the NRM could not afford to enter critical elections with an outdated and bloated register.
He noted that the vetting was based on verified data collected during the village baraza polls held last week.
The party, which conducted elections for LC1 flag bearers and grassroots structures in over 72,000 villages, is moving swiftly through its electoral calendar.
The next stages include:
- Sub-county elections on May 16
- City division elections on May 19
- District-level elections on May 23
- Special Interest Group primaries on May 24
- National structure elections between August 22 and 25
However, the village-level elections did not go without hitches. Numerous reports surfaced of voter name omissions, blocked aspirants, and suspicious voting activities at several polling stations.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Odoi maintained that the elections were largely successful and that the commission is working to rectify irregularities.
Areas that experienced violence or procedural failure have been scheduled for repeat elections this Wednesday.
Party insiders see the purge and reorganization as part of a broader strategy to enforce discipline, promote loyalty, and build reliable grassroots networks that will anchor the NRM campaign machinery in the coming elections.
By cleaning up its internal database, the party is also sending a message that only active and committed members will shape its political direction.
Observers say the move positions the NRM to avoid internal disputes during future primaries and strengthens its hand as it gears up to defend its political dominance in 2026.
With internal structures being reinforced from the ground up, the ruling party appears focused on delivering a cleaner, more efficient internal election cycle and reclaiming lost trust in its organizational processes.