• Latest
The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay

The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay

August 4, 2025
Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

October 26, 2025
14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

October 26, 2025
VINAStech Advert
Journalists Urged to Use Storytelling to Spotlight Drowning Crisis

SMACK Student Drowns in School Swimming Pool

October 26, 2025
Pastor Tumusiime Pledges to Rebuild Bukanga Promising New Hope

Pastor Tumusiime Pledges to Rebuild Bukanga Promising New Hope

October 26, 2025

Survivor of MP Benjamin Kamukama Trafficking Scandal Eyes Ntungamo Woman MP Seat

October 25, 2025
Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital Named Best Private Not-for-Profit Hospital of the Year

Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital Named Best Private Not-for-Profit Hospital of the Year

October 24, 2025
97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

October 24, 2025
Preserve Kitubulu central forest reserve to save the environment

Save Kitubulu Forest from Encroachers

October 24, 2025
Communication Must Take Center Stage in Service Delivery, Says PS Ben Kumumanya

Communication Must Take Center Stage in Service Delivery, Says PS Ben Kumumanya

October 24, 2025
Mafabi Pledges Justice, Compensation, and Development for Teso

Mafabi Pledges Justice, Compensation, and Development for Teso

October 24, 2025
NUP’s Kyagela Remanded Over Forged Electoral Commission Receipt

NUP’s Kyagela Remanded Over Forged Electoral Commission Receipt

October 24, 2025
NUP Candidate Arrested Over Forged Nomination Documents

NUP Candidate Arrested Over Forged Nomination Documents

October 24, 2025
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us
Monday, October 27, 2025
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • News
    Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

    Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

    14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

    14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

    Journalists Urged to Use Storytelling to Spotlight Drowning Crisis

    SMACK Student Drowns in School Swimming Pool

    Survivor of MP Benjamin Kamukama Trafficking Scandal Eyes Ntungamo Woman MP Seat

    97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

    97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

    Preserve Kitubulu central forest reserve to save the environment

    Save Kitubulu Forest from Encroachers

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
  • News
    Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

    Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term

    14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

    14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province

    Journalists Urged to Use Storytelling to Spotlight Drowning Crisis

    SMACK Student Drowns in School Swimming Pool

    Survivor of MP Benjamin Kamukama Trafficking Scandal Eyes Ntungamo Woman MP Seat

    97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

    97 Candidates Cleared to Contest for 9 Wakiso Constituencies

    Preserve Kitubulu central forest reserve to save the environment

    Save Kitubulu Forest from Encroachers

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
Home FEATURES

The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay

Columnist by Columnist
August 4, 2025
in FEATURES
0
The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay
13
SHARES
636
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on X

OPINION
Under the multiparty system, political parties are expected to hold primary elections, allowing members to elect competent candidates who will then compete against flag bearers from other parties. The NRM party has consistently organised these primaries at both local and national levels since 2006, including in 2011 and 2016.

On 17th July 2025, Uganda took a significant step towards the 2026 general election as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) conducted its primary elections across 72,000 villages in 519 counties, with 9.2 million voters lining up behind candidates or their representatives.

READ ALSO

Why Uganda Must Confront the Illicit Alcohol Crisis Head-On

West Nile Region: President Museveni’s Message Focused on Consolidating Peace, Promoting Wealth Creation and Development

Although the process did not proceed perfectly, it demonstrated a transparent approach to delivering justice and promoting democracy in Uganda. The lining-up method was introduced in 2020 following approval by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) during a meeting held at State House Entebbe. This approach was developed to address the challenges experienced during the 2015 NRM primaries, such as logistical shortcomings and delayed distribution of election materials.

Ironically, opposition members have criticised this lining-up process. However, it proves that the NRM remains the only party in Uganda to have successfully offered its members a democratic opportunity to elect flag bearers. While the election faced various challenges, the fact that the process was completed is commendable.

Moreover, previous NRM primaries have demonstrated that it is the only political party in Uganda capable of registering members and mobilising them nationwide to participate actively in the party’s internal democratic processes. What made these primaries particularly remarkable was the atmosphere before the elections, which suggested that a general election was already underway. This sent a clear message to the world that NRM remains a dominant political force in Uganda and across Africa.

As the father of Uganda’s democracy, an experienced leader, Chairperson of the NRM party, and President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Ssabalwanyi Ssemalungu has publicly offered constructive criticism and guidance following the recent primaries. To uphold democracy and fairness, he has established a tribunal to address any grievances arising from the NRM primary elections.

Opposition politicians, however, seem unwilling or unable to learn. They lack the courage to challenge the NRM primaries, as they cannot even organise a party election at the village level. Parties such as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), National Unity Platform (NUP), JEEMA, and others are still struggling to establish themselves within Uganda’s political landscape.

To be frank, how can these parties claim to practice democracy nationally when they have failed to uphold democratic principles internally? Simply awarding someone a party card without a proper electoral process is undemocratic.

It is particularly disappointing that NUP leaders continue to complain in the media and at conferences that NRM has failed to build democracy, when, in fact, they themselves are the worst offenders when it comes to democratic practices. NUP cannot convince anyone that a small group of individuals, meeting in a cramped room in Kavule, Magere, or Kamwokya, can legitimately decide on behalf of hundreds of others.

They overlook the fact that political party primaries are crucial to building democracy because they provide a platform for political representation and participation. Primaries also serve as an important mechanism for maintaining democratic accountability and ensuring government responsiveness.

The NUP party’s approach is vague and should not be considered a true election but rather a selection process. Denying members the opportunity to elect who will carry the party flag contradicts democratic norms. There are reports that, at critical times, NUP generates funds by selling party cards to the highest bidders rather than supporting capable leaders.

Such blatant vote manipulation is unacceptable in this century. Can the Bobi Wine–Chemutai–Fred Nyanzi commission genuinely represent the people they have yet to select on behalf of the majority of their supporters? Should Bobi Wine and his team, by some chance, be entrusted with leading Uganda, one of their first actions might be to repeal Article 59 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Ugandan aged 18 and above the right to vote.

Unlike the ruling NRM, which allows all members to freely vote for their preferred candidates in democratic primaries, NUP denies its members this fundamental right. Instead, decisions are made behind closed doors by small committees without genuine member participation.

For example, John Mary Ssebuwufu, who is both contesting for LC5 Nakawa West and serving on the vetting committee, occupies a unique position where he could fairly assess all candidates including himself and demonstrate transparent leadership. However, this closed system prevents even capable individuals like him from enabling true democratic competition within the party.

By David Sserumaga,
The writer is a law student and working with the Uganda Media Centre.
Email: serumagadavid916@gmail.com

Tags: David SerumagaJohn Mary SsebuwufuSsabalwanyi SsemalunguYoweri Kaguta Museveni

Related Posts

FEATURES

Why Uganda Must Confront the Illicit Alcohol Crisis Head-On

October 23, 2025
FEATURES

West Nile Region: President Museveni’s Message Focused on Consolidating Peace, Promoting Wealth Creation and Development

October 22, 2025
FEATURES

Suzan’s Story: A Painful Reminder That HIV Is Still With Us

October 19, 2025
Opposition Patrick Herminie Wins Seychelles Presidency
FEATURES

SATIRE: When ‘I’m working on myself’ turns into ‘are you still single?

October 13, 2025
Ugandan government should commission an independent study on Murchison Falls Wildlife
Climate Change

Ugandan government should commission an independent study on Murchison Falls Wildlife

October 11, 2025
CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

Empower youth to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy

October 10, 2025
Next Post
FDC demands urgent action over Kiteezi fire, warns of looming catastrophe

Gov’t Begins Payouts to Households Displaced by Kiteezi Slide

POPULAR NEWS

Minister Amongi, Akena Scrapped from EC Voters’ Register Oops

Minister Amongi, Akena Scrapped from EC Voters’ Register Oops

September 3, 2025
Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

February 16, 2025

“Life Is Scum”: Kabale University Student Leaves Suicide Note, Takes Own Life

July 25, 2025

Former IGP Okoth Ogola Dies

February 14, 2025

CAF Warns Fans Against Obscene and Politically Charged Jerseys at Namboole

August 20, 2025

EDITOR'S PICK

LEM Mindfulness, Tamu Caring Counsellors Partner to Boost Mental Health Services Nationwide

LEM Mindfulness, Tamu Caring Counsellors Partner to Boost Mental Health Services Nationwide

August 28, 2025
Over 500 People Receive Free Medical Treatment in Kibuku

Over 500 People Receive Free Medical Treatment in Kibuku

July 30, 2024
Stench smell over open dumping of human foetuses worries Rubaare town council authorities

Stench smell over open dumping of human foetuses worries Rubaare town council authorities

October 15, 2024

Parliament sets 2hrs to honor Queen Elizabeth II

September 14, 2022
VINAStech advert VINAStech advert VINAStech advert
ADVERTISEMENT

About

Parrots Media

A Public Relations and Media Services Company registered and licensed to operate in Uganda and the Great Lakes Region.

Follow us

Categories

  • Business
  • BUSINESS REPORTS
  • CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS
  • Climate Change
  • COMMUNITY REPORTS
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • FEATURES
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • News
  • Obituary
  • OBITUARY
  • Opinions
  • RELIGION
  • Religion
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • TOURISM

Recent Updates

  • Djibouti Parliament Scraps Presidential Age Limit to Allow Guelleh a Sixth Term
  • 14 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks off Turkey’s Mugla Province
  • SMACK Student Drowns in School Swimming Pool
  • Pastor Tumusiime Pledges to Rebuild Bukanga Promising New Hope
October 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep    
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

No Result
View All Result
  • Parrots Media
  • News
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Others
    • Climate Change
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinions

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

You cannot copy content of this page