By The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has confirmed that its primary elections for Members of Parliament will be held this Thursday, July 17, as scheduled, dismissing widespread speculation of a postponement.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Kampala, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi clarified that voting will proceed in all 72,000 villages across the country.
“There were a lot of rumours that elections were postponed, but we are going to have these elections on Thursday for Members of Parliament in all the villages. Candidates should prepare as per the guidelines issued,” Dr. Odoi stated.
According to the commission, party members will convene at polling venues by 10:00 am for attendance verification, and voting will take place between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. The exercise will follow the lining-up system, where voters queue behind a candidate’s poster or agent.
NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong emphasized that only members listed in the village register will participate in the exercise.
“If you are not in the register, you will not vote. All villages will have their registers by Thursday morning, and these will strictly guide the process,” Todwong said, noting that register books were already being distributed to districts and sub-counties.
Todwong also warned candidates against dividing communities along religious or tribal lines and condemned the use of money to influence voters.
“We have received reports of members using religion, tribal sentiments, and money. We want to warn them to stop. Our party members should be civil and respect each other,” he cautioned.
Under the guidelines, results will be counted and announced publicly at each village by the presiding officer, who will then issue declaration forms signed by all candidates’ agents.
The press briefing was attended by senior NRM officials, who reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency and peaceful primaries ahead of the 2026 General Election.
