The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has revealed that it has registered a staggering membership of over 18.3 million individuals. This number surpasses the total number of registered voters in the 2021 elections, which stood at approximately 18,103,603.
The revelation came during a meeting of the Central Executive Committee members of the NRM, held yesterday evening at State House Entebbe. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the NRM party chairperson, addressed the committee and shared the results of the recent registration process, which took place between the 13th and 17th of this month.
President Museveni raised concerns about the criminal activities of money lenders who confiscate national identity cards from Ugandans, causing difficulties for some members during the registration process. He assured the committee that the issue would be addressed, even through legislation if necessary, to rectify the situation and return the identity cards to their rightful owners.
“There were some gaps in the process such as the criminality of money lenders who take away national Identity Cards from Ugandans, and the limited involvement of NRM village chairpersons and we have agreed to address those, through legislation if necessary and return them to the people at an appropriate time,” said President Museveni.
Despite the observed gaps in the registration process, the NRM party reported a remarkable membership count of 18.3 million. President Museveni expressed his appreciation to NRM members for their enthusiastic response to the registration program, considering it a positive start to the ongoing process.
The NRM began preparations to update its register on March 13th, 2024, following its official launch on February 28th, 2024, by President Museveni as part of the party’s electoral roadmap for the 2026 elections. Notably, the president actively participated in the register update exercise, personally updating his particulars in the party register, which was overseen by NRM party Secretary General, Richard Todwong.
This year, the NRM intensified its grassroots mass mobilization efforts across the country, with an eye on the 2026 elections. The party’s primary focus ahead of the elections includes internal elections, the renewal of leadership within the party structures, and the selection of flag bearers for various positions.
To facilitate the upcoming elections, the NRM’s electoral commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, released a tentative roadmap for the party’s electoral structure in 2023. This roadmap will serve as a guide for the NRM as it continues its preparations for the 2026 elections.
