Africa-Press – Uganda. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has completed sub-county leadership primaries marked by widespread unopposed victories and a message of unity, as the party intensifies internal mobilisation ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Across the country, a significant number of candidates sailed through uncontested, including high-profile leaders such as Minister for Kampala, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, and Kampala Central Mayor, Salim Uhuru.
The two were elected unopposed at Eagle’s Nest Primary School in Kampala Central Division, taking up the roles of Secretary for Finance and Vice Chairperson, respectively.
“I want to thank the people for entrusting me and letting me through unopposed. I encourage the members of NRM to participate in this election peacefully,” Uhuru said following the declaration.
The elections were conducted under tight security, especially in Kampala, where Uganda Police Force officers, police constables, and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel were deployed to ensure calm and control crowds.
Voting venues were cordoned off, with only registered participants granted entry, while supporters who were not eligible to vote sang and chanted outside in support of their candidates.
In areas where more than one candidate contested a post, the NRM relied on its traditional lining-up method to determine winners.
However, in many other areas, such as Nakasero III Parish in Block B Sub-County, the process required no lining up at all, as every candidate stood unopposed and was simply declared elected.
The occasion instead became an opportunity for grassroots strategising.
“The election has been peaceful after we all harmonised and everyone came unopposed. We hope this unity will lead to victory in the 2026 elections in favour of NRM,” said Sofia Kenyangi, elected Secretary for Women Affairs.
Positions contested across the primaries included Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary for Finance, and other roles representing women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the mainstream structure.
According to NRM officials, the unusually high number of unopposed victories is partly attributed to prior reconciliation and coordination meetings that encouraged consensus among aspirants.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi described the process as largely successful, though he acknowledged that a few sub-counties failed to vote due to minor disruptions.
“This election is not a do-or-die affair. We are only selecting people to help run the party structures. The problems we faced arose from politicians trying to use the process to test their popularity,” Odoi said.
With sub-county leaders now in place, attention turns to district-level elections scheduled for next week.
These votes will shape the next tier of party leadership and determine key players in the campaign machinery for the 2026 race.
Party members and observers say the peaceful nature of the sub-county primaries—coupled with the wave of unopposed victories—signals a drive toward internal cohesion.
However, analysts caution that the real test will come in districts where competition remains sharp and unresolved disputes could surface.
Still, for many party loyalists, the current momentum offers a strategic advantage.
“What we have seen is a spirit of unity,” said a party mobilisation officer in Rubaga. “It gives us a head-start as we organise for 2026.”
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