The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has reaffirmed that its primary elections for Members of Parliament will take place this Thursday, 17th July, across all 72,000 villages in Uganda.

Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, dismissed media reports suggesting the elections had been postponed. Speaking at a press briefing, he confirmed that the elections will proceed as earlier scheduled.

“There were a lot of rumours that elections were postponed, but we are going to have these elections for Members of Parliament on Thursday, 17th, in all the 72,000 villages,” Dr. Odoi stated. “To those who are candidates, please prepare as per the guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission.”

According to the Commission, all voters must report to the polling venues by 10:00 am, where names will be read out for verification. Voting will begin at 12:00 pm and end at 2:00 pm. The exercise will follow the NRM’s lining-up voting method, where members physically line up behind the agent or poster of their preferred candidate.

NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, stressed that only individuals listed in the party’s village register will be allowed to vote.

“If you are a candidate, don’t fail because you think there is no register,” Todwong warned. “You will fail on your own because all the villages will have their registers by Thursday morning, and we shall strictly use them to choose our leaders. If you are not in the register, you will not participate.”

Todwong added that the register books are currently being dispatched to all districts and will be delivered to the sub-counties before reaching the villages.

He also urged candidates to campaign responsibly and avoid using divisive language or money to influence voters.

“We have received reports of our members using religion, tribal sentiments and a lot of money. We want to warn them to stop,” Todwong said. “Our party members should be civil and respect each other.”

The party emphasized that after vote counting, presiding officers will publicly announce the results and issue declaration forms signed by all candidates’ agents to ensure transparency.