Published on 07/05/2025
By: Hakim Kyeswa
The huge number of people participating in the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) structure elections across Buganda is a clear sign that the ruling party is gaining back its support while the opposition struggles with internal fights. Today marks an important shift in Uganda’s politics, setting the stage for the NRM to win big in the 2026 general elections.
The NRM has always stayed strong as a mass party because of its active grassroots elections. The way the party chooses its leaders gives it an advantage over its rivals. Unlike opposition parties, which often have conflicts or handpick candidates, the NRM’s system allows members to elect leaders from the ground up—keeping the party united and strong.
*The 2021 Loss and the Comeback Plan*
In the 2021 elections, the NRM lost some ground, especially in Buganda and parts of the Eastern region. A major reason was the weak village-level party structures. The NRM’s village system, made up of 30 members per village, is key to its mobilization. With about 72,000 villages in Uganda, fully activating these structures would mean 2,160,000 committed NRM members—already a strong voting base.
To put it simply, President Museveni got 6,042,898 votes in 2021. If each of the 30 NRM members in every village convinces just three more people to vote for the party, that would add 6,480,000 votes—potentially taking the NRM’s total votes past 8.6 million. This is possible if the party fixes internal issues and works well at the grassroots.
*Today’s Big Turnout: Proof of NRM’s Support*
Anyone watching the news today saw long lines of Ugandans excitedly taking part in the NRM elections. This kind of turnout doesn’t happen by chance—it shows that many people still trust the NRM. While some may argue that a few participants are just looking for opportunities, the large crowds prove that the party still has strong backing. It’s unlikely that more than 8% of those turning up don’t support the NRM.
Also, this time, the NRM Electoral Commission has done a better job. Voting materials arrived on time, rules were followed, and the process has been smooth—reducing the usual fights and disagreements that happen in such exercises. This efficiency makes the party more credible among its members.
*Opposition in Chaos: Helping NRM’s Growth*
The NRM’s growing strength is also helped by the opposition’s own problems. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is now divided into two groups, making it weaker. Meanwhile, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which did well in 2021, seems more focused on internal fights—like the Mpuga issue—than on building its support.
*Conclusion: NRM’s Clear Path to 2026 Victory*
With programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), stronger party structures, and the opposition’s disunity, the NRM is setting itself up for a major win in 2026. The big turnout in Buganda isn’t just a one-time event—it’s a sign of what’s coming in the next election.
If the NRM keeps this energy, stays united, and takes advantage of the opposition’s weaknesses, the 2026 elections won’t just be a win for the party—they will confirm its lasting power in Ugandan politics.
*The future is yellow.*
The Author is the head digital media – Office of the National Chairman (ONC) and Aspring Vice Chairman NRM Central region.
