Dr. Tanga Odoi, the chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission, has unveiled a strategic advantage for the NRM presidential flag bearer in the 2026 elections.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Odoi disclosed that the chosen candidate will begin with a head start of 4.8 million votes from party leaders.
This tactic, part of President Museveni’s long-term strategy, involves incorporating votes from various levels of party structures, providing a significant advantage.
Mr. Odoi outlined the process, explaining that after structure elections, votes from village to national levels are considered.
This includes flag bearers of Members of Parliament, local government officials, leaders in CEC, culminating in a total of 4,800,064 leaders.
The NRM presidential flag bearer would automatically have 4.8 million votes secured through this process.
Despite different groupings within the party endorsing President Museveni, 79, for the 2026 candidacy, an internal election process will ultimately determine the flag bearer.
The NRM has also released a tentative roadmap for elections at various party structure levels, starting with member registration from November 2023 to February 29, 2024.
Dr. Tanga urged NRM members to prepare for upcoming elections, emphasizing the party’s commitment to retaining power.
President Museveni, who won the 2021 polls with 5,851,037 votes, faces accusations of brutality and voter bribery from opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP).