OPINION: Despite Imperfections, NRM Primaries Show Museveni’s Party Still Popular

Under Uganda’s multiparty system, political parties are expected to hold primary elections to allow their members to choose competent candidates who will then compete against flag bearers from other parties in the general elections. Since 2006, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has consistently organized such primaries at both local and national levels, including during the 2011 and 2016 electoral cycles.

On July 17, 2025, Uganda took a significant step toward the 2026 general elections as the NRM conducted its primary elections across 72,000 villages in 519 counties, with over 9.2 million registered voters participating by lining up behind candidates or their agents.

Although the process was not without flaws, it demonstrated a transparent and grassroots approach to promoting democracy and delivering justice within the party.

The lining-up method, introduced in 2020 following approval by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) at a meeting held at State House Entebbe, was adopted to address logistical and organizational challenges experienced during the 2015 primaries—such as delays in the distribution of voting materials and election mismanagement.

Ironically, members of the opposition have criticized the lining-up method, yet the NRM remains the only political party in Uganda that has consistently offered its members a democratic platform to elect flag bearers through open primaries. Despite facing logistical hurdles and electoral disputes, the mere successful completion of this large-scale process is noteworthy and commendable. Over the years, NRM primaries have showcased the party’s unique ability to register, mobilize, and engage its members across the country.

The recent primaries reflected a level of organization and energy that gave the impression that Uganda’s general elections were already underway. This further affirmed NRM’s position as a dominant political force in Uganda and across Africa.

As the father of Uganda’s democracy, seasoned leader, Chairperson of the NRM, and President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Ssabalwanyi Ssemalungu has offered critical feedback and guidance following the primaries. In line with his commitment to fairness, he established an NRM election tribunal to handle grievances and resolve disputes arising from the elections—a significant step toward preserving internal democracy.

In contrast, many opposition parties remain unwilling or unable to learn from the NRM’s experience. They continue to struggle even with organizing basic internal elections at the village level.

Parties like the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), National Unity Platform (NUP), JEEMA, and others still lack the internal structures necessary to entrench democratic norms within their ranks.

How can these parties claim to champion democracy nationally when they fail to uphold it within their own operations? Simply awarding a party card to someone in place of a transparent electoral process is inherently undemocratic.

It is especially disappointing that NUP leaders, despite consistent media complaints about NRM’s political conduct, have failed to practice the very democracy they demand. Their internal processes lack credibility. Decisions made by a small group of individuals meeting behind closed doors in Kavule, Magere, or Kamwokya cannot reasonably be viewed as legitimate or representative.

Primaries are essential to democratic development—they provide political representation, encourage participation, and ensure accountability. NUP’s vague approach to leadership selection resembles a nomination-by-committee, not a true electoral process.

Reports that party cards have allegedly been sold to the highest bidder at critical moments raise serious concerns about the party’s commitment to democratic values.

Such practices are unacceptable in a modern democracy. Can the Bobi Wine–Chemutai–Fred Nyanzi commission credibly claim to represent the people when they bypass the very electorate whose mandate they seek?

Should Bobi Wine and his team ever assume national leadership, one might fear that their first course of action would be to dismantle Article 59 of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote to all citizens aged 18 and above.

In contrast, the NRM continues to uphold this constitutional right, enabling members to freely vote for their preferred candidates in open primaries.

Meanwhile, NUP’s closed-door committee decisions exclude the broader membership from meaningful participation.

Consider the case of Johnmary Ssebuwufu, who is both contesting for LC5 Nakawa West and serving on the NUP vetting committee. In a transparent system, someone in this dual position could help model integrity and fairness.

However, in a closed and opaque process, even capable leaders like him cannot effectively foster internal democracy.

In conclusion, party primaries are the foundation of democratic governance. The NRM, through its imperfections, continues to demonstrate a functioning model of internal democracy that should serve as an example. Uganda needs political parties that not only preach democracy but also practice it—openly, fairly, and consistently.

You can read how a rotten system could lead to collapse of Museveni’s NRM Here.

You can see the list of winners and losers in the recently held NRM primaries Here and There.

The list with Names of Over 200 Candidates Challenging NRM Primaries Results is Here.