KAMPALA, UGANDA — Nearly 300 candidates have been cleared to compete for about 80 positions on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), its highest decision-making body, setting the stage for significant internal elections next month.
NRM National Chairperson Yoweri Museveni announced the party’s 4th National Conference will be held Aug. 27-28 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. More than 24,000 delegates are expected to vote by secret ballot for CEC members, according to Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM’s chief electoral supervisor.
“Notice is hereby given that the 1st meeting of the 4th National Conference of the NRM will be held under the theme ‘Building a Shared Prosperity: Investing in Uganda’s Future,’” Museveni said in a July 26 official notice.
The two-day conference will primarily focus on electing new CEC members. Delegates will cast votes for key positions including National Chairperson, First National Vice Chairperson, Second National Vice Chairperson (female), and six regional Vice Chairpersons representing East, Central, North, West, Kampala and Karamoja.
Beyond the elections, the conference is also expected to formally endorse Museveni as the NRM presidential candidate for the 2026 General Election, a position the National Executive Council (NEC) has effectively reserved for him.
CEC, chaired by the NRM party chairperson, comprises senior party leaders responsible for guiding daily operations, making crucial decisions on strategy, mobilization, appointments and internal discipline. New members are elected every five years during the National Delegates’ Conference. CEC’s decisions are binding at all party levels and significantly influence Uganda’s national political and policy landscape.
Hotly Contested Races
The upcoming conference has sparked widespread interest and intense lobbying across the country.
One of the most fiercely contested positions is that of Second National Vice Chairperson (female). This race features Rebecca Kadaga, former Speaker of Parliament and current First Deputy Prime Minister, against Anita Among, the incumbent Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea District Woman MP. Sources indicate internal party divisions regarding who to support.
The position of First National Vice Chairperson, long held by Al-hajj Moses Kigongo, who has often run unopposed, has attracted three challengers: Emmanuel Dinni, Bridge Agaba Murokole and Dr. Samuel Odongo Oledo.
The six regional Vice Chairperson posts are also proving highly competitive. In the Western Region, the seat currently held by ICT Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has drawn 11 contenders. These include Michael Mawanda Maranga, Dr. Innocent Atuhe, Enoch Barigye Byaruhanga, Dick Nuwamanya Kamugaga, Richard Muhanga and Sedrack Nzaire Nowomugisha, President Museveni’s younger brother. Other contenders are Blaise Kamugisha, Jonard Asiimwe, Lauben Muhangi Bwengye and Isaac Rukanda Akampurira.
For Northern Uganda, the incumbent Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua faces Daniel Kidega, a former Youth MP and former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly.
In the Eastern Region, incumbent Capt. Mike Mukula faces nine challengers, including David Calvin Ecgodu and Daniel Okurut.
The Entrepreneurs League Chairperson position has also attracted stiff competition from prominent businessmen. These include King Ceasor Augustus Mulenga, proprietor of King Ceasor University, and Hassan Basajjabalaba, owner of Kampala International University. Other aspirants are Robert Rukaari Mwesiigwa, Edson Ruyondo, Philip Kwijuka Kakuru, Shukla Mukesh Babubhai, Sanjy Tanna and Gyaviira Ssemwanga.
