The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has officially launched its Vote Protection Team at its Kyambogo headquarters, reinforcing its preparations for the 2026 general elections.
The initiative was spearheaded by Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, the NRM’s First National Vice Chairman, alongside Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs and ONC Head. The launch was attended by key leaders from the NRM Secretariat, signaling a unified approach to safeguarding the party’s electoral interests.
The newly formed team consists of regional and district ONC coordinators, along with members of the Bazzukulu group, who will play a crucial role in mobilizing support and protecting the votes of President Yoweri Museveni, the expected NRM presidential flag bearer.
In July, President Museveni appointed Hajjat Namyalo to head the Vote Protection Unit, tasking her with forming a dedicated team to monitor polling stations nationwide. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the voting process
- Preventing electoral malpractice
- Ensuring accurate transmission of results
During the launch, Hajjat Namyalo emphasized the need to rectify past electoral shortcomings. As National Coordinator of Bazzukulu, she highlighted that grassroots agents must be well-trained to prevent vote tampering.
“The President has repeatedly pointed out instances where his votes were stolen. This time, we must have a committed team that ensures his votes are protected,” Namyalo stated.
President Museveni’s directive to Namyalo aligns with the NRM’s broader strategy to strengthen election oversight. The newly commissioned team will:
- Train polling agents and grassroots mobilizers
- Monitor vote counting and declaration forms
- Secure NRM’s victory across different electoral levels
Addressing the team, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo urged them to remain disciplined and focused. He stressed that their role is not only to protect the party’s interests but also to uphold fairness and integrity in the electoral process.
“You must remain humble, focused, and disciplined while recruiting vote protectors. Our goal is to secure victory, and any irregularities will be dealt with,” Kigongo warned.
He further advised the coordinators to begin mobilizing early, as “you cannot protect what you have not secured.”
President Museveni has previously accused the Opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), of electoral fraud in the 2021 general elections. He reiterated these concerns during the Kampala Defence and Security Expo on September 12, 2025, where he assigned Namyalo the task of ensuring tighter vote monitoring.
In response, Hajjat Namyalo stated that the ONC’s vote protection strategy would involve door-to-door and person-to-person mobilization to track every vote and prevent irregularities.
According to the Uganda Electoral Commission’s roadmap, the 2025/2026 elections will follow this timeline:
- August 16, 2024: Demarcation of electoral areas completed
- January 2025: General update of the National Voters’ Register
- October 2-3, 2025: Presidential candidate nominations
- January 12 – February 9, 2026: Presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections
The unveiling of the Vote Protection Unit was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, State House officials, political leaders, and civil servants from across Uganda.
With the launch of this initiative, the NRM is signaling a determined effort to secure a decisive victory for President Museveni in 2026 while ensuring a credible electoral process.
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