By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
KAMPALA: In a strategic pre-election maneuver, Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has unveiled a rigorous national meeting and conference schedule for August 2025. A press release, issued by Secretary General Richard Todwong on August 4th, signals an aggressive push to consolidate internal power and align party structures ahead of a pivotal political season.
The NRM’s calendar kicks off with the pivotal Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, August 20th-22nd. This inner sanctum dictates party direction. It precedes the National Executive Council (NEC) gathering: delegates arrive for accreditation on August 22nd, with their main meeting set for August 23rd, emphasizing rapid elite consensus.
Next are the Special Organs National Elective Conferences, crucial for grassroots mobilization. Accreditation for these vital leagues (Women, Youth, Workers, Elders, PWDs, Entrepreneurs, and NRM/A Veterans) begins August 24th, leading to their conferences on August 25th. This segment aims to animate the party’s diverse support bases nationwide.
The climax arrives with the Elective National Conference, a grand assembly designed for unity and strength. Delegates arrive for accreditation on August 26th, before the conference proper runs from August 27th-28th. This high-profile event is widely anticipated to rubber-stamp leadership and project the incumbent power structure.
The sheer scale of delegates underscores the NRM’s meticulous control across all tiers. National Conference delegates include: National & Regional Chairpersons/Vice Chairpersons, NEC members, NRM MPs (national & EALA, plus flag bearers), District/City Chairpersons (LCC/Mayors, plus flag bearers), Diaspora executive committees, NRM Historical Leaders Forum members, and National Executive Committees of all Special Organs. Further, Chairpersons of NRM District Conferences, NRM Municipal/City Division Executive Committees/Mayors/Councilors, NRM Organisation Promoters, NRM District/City Executive Committees (including Special Organs), sitting NRM District/City Councilors, and Sub County/Municipal Division/Town Council Conference Chairpersons. Up to 20 National Chairman-invited observers are also included, asserting central oversight.
The NEC will draw from: National & Regional Chairpersons/Vice Chairpersons, NRM EALA and National MPs (plus flag bearers), District/City Chairpersons (plus flag bearers), sitting Municipal/City Division Mayors, National Executive Committees of all Special Organs (excluding Historicals), all Diaspora Branch Chairpersons, 30 elected Historical Leaders, and District Conference Chairpersons. Up to 10 Chairperson-nominated “Eminent Persons” and 5 Special Invitees also serve as observers.
Special Organs Conferences feature: NRM MPs representing Youth, PWDs, Workers, Older Persons, Women; incumbent National Executive Committees of all Special Organs; District/City/Municipal/City Division Executive Committees of Special Organs; NRM Special Organs District/City Councilors; sitting NRM District/City Women Councilors; and Special Organs Chairpersons at Sub County/Municipal Division/Town Council Level. This ensures granular activation.
Accreditation for NEC, Special Organs, and the National Conference is at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), Nakawa. Main conferences are at the symbolic Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds, a deliberate projection of the NRM’s historical claim to national authority. Delegate lists will be displayed one week prior at Party Headquarters (Plot 10 Kyadondo Road, Nakasero).
Issued by Secretary General Richard Todwong, this detailed roadmap underlines the NRM’s intent to reinforce internal cohesion and project unassailable strength.
