The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, has called on senior party leaders to exercise emotional restraint and avoid ego-driven interference during the ongoing party elections, particularly the grassroots-level “family elections.”
While addressing journalists at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters on Kyadondo Road in Kampala, Dr Odoi stressed that the success of a smooth and credible electoral process depends largely on the maturity and humility of senior party leaders participating in what he described as the “family elections” which are NRM’s grassroots internal polls aimed at strengthening its structures in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
He added that some senior leaders still approach these elections as if they are a do-or-die affair, which shows their interest and commitment to the party structure, which is commendable, but it’s crucial to manage emotions.
“There’s nothing wrong with a Member of Parliament seeking to be voted at the village level,” Dr Odoi remarked. “What truly matters is setting aside ego, engaging as an ordinary party member, and maintaining peace. If our leaders adopt this approach and show emotional restraint, then NRM will remain a strong, unified force for years to come.”
Dr Odoi’s remarks come at a time when the party is undertaking its internal elections as part of a broader effort to strengthen grassroots structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
According to him, the recent village structure selection and LC1 flag bearer elections recorded a 98.4% success rate. Out of 72,000 villages, only six had not voted by the time of the briefing due to challenges related to camp politics and boundary conflicts.
He further reminded party members that the NRM Parish Registrars are overseeing the parish-level elections, which officially began on May 12, 2025.
Dr Odoi also noted that the party had received 57 petitions from the May 6, 2025, elections. The majority of these had been resolved, with only three still pending.
In a rare moment of cross-party acknowledgment, Dr Odoi revealed that Opposition MP Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda had reportedly publicly commended the NRM Electoral Commission for maintaining party structures nationwide.
“I want to say it on record last Thursday, Hon. Ssemujju thanked the NRM for having structures everywhere and commended the Electoral Commission for a job well done. That’s very rare of Ssemujju,” said Dr Odoi.
These elections form part of the NRM’s broader strategy to renew its grassroots structures, which form the base for national mobilization and candidate selection ahead of the 2026 general elections.