NRM CANDIDATES CLASH OVER CAMPAIGN PLANS AND ORGANIZATION

NRM candidates during a joint harmonization meeting at Uganda Prisons regional Boardroom.

By Dramadri Federick
Arua City

As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party embarks on its two-week joint campaign series from July 1 to July 14, 2025, several prominent party figures have publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with the environment provided by the Electoral Commission, citing concerns that it is not conducive for effective campaigning.

These dissenting voices highlight underlying tensions within the party as it prepares for the upcoming general elections.

According to Tanga Odoi, the party’s Electoral Commission chairman, the joint campaigns are expected to be held in open spaces under strict conditions.
Voters are only permitted to clap in acknowledgment, rather than cheer for their preferred candidates while waiting for speeches and subsequent question-and-answer sessions.

Moreover, each campaign venue is to be guarded by at least a police officer to maintain security and order. These measures aim to curb any form of disorder or violence during the campaigns, but some party members remain skeptical about their effectiveness.

Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor of Arua City and an aspirant in the NRM internal race for the party’s parliamentary ticket, has openly voiced his displeasure with the organization of the joint campaigns, announcing that he will not participate.

Nyakua emphasized his ability to independently manage and sponsor his campaigns without relying on the party’s poorly coordinated efforts. “I can organize my own campaigns and finance them because I do not want to be pushed to barbaric levels or be forced into humiliating situations. I am humble, but in this election, I can become a formidable Muyayi when necessary,” Nyakua stated confidently.

His decision not to join the joint campaigns reflects frustration with what he perceives as lack of planning and fairness within the process.

On the other hand, Maureen Osoru, the Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City and a candidate seeking to retain her parliamentary seat, has called on the NRM secretariat to provide a clear and detailed roadmap for the joint campaigns.

Osoru expressed concerns about potential clashes among supporters, urging the party to develop strategies to prevent chaos. “If we, as candidates, do not control our supporters during these joint campaigns, the situation could quickly deteriorate,” she warned.

Osoru further cautioned against giving supporters alcohol, emphasizing that intoxication can lead to misconduct and disrespect. “When supporters are given opium or weed, they become uncontrollable and disrespectful to other candidates’ speeches,” she explained, highlighting the importance of discipline to ensure peaceful campaigning.

Despite these concerns, Kumakech Salim, the Arua City Resident Commissioner, insists that there is no valid reason for any candidate to defy the directive of the NRM Central Executive Committee.

He emphasized that the party’s coordinated campaign strategy is designed to uphold discipline and accountability.

The NRM typically employs joint campaigns during each election cycle as part of its primary elections to scrutinize candidates and generate public demand for accountability from those who have held the party’s flag over the past five years. These campaigns serve not only to rally party supporters but also to hold aspirants accountable for their performance and past conduct.