Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has convened an expanded district conference in Kikuube District to harmonise its position ahead of the LC5 chairperson by-election.
The by-election follows the death of district chairperson Peter Banura Araali, who was the NRM flag bearer.
Addressing the media shortly before the conference commenced on Tuesday, NRM Director for Mobilisation, Dr. Rosemary Sseninde, said the meeting had drawn over 500 leaders from across the district, ranging from village-level chairpersons to district executives, councillors-elect, LCIII chairpersons, opinion leaders, and security teams.
Sseninde said the meeting was aimed at strengthening party structures and ensuring unity ahead of the June 10 poll, as announced by the Electoral Commission.
“A by-election is not like a general election. It comes with unique challenges, including heightened competition from opposition groups. As a party, we must be organised and fully prepared,” she said.
She emphasised that the NRM Secretariat was not in Kikuube to impose a candidate but to facilitate consensus among party members.
“We have not come to decide who the flag bearer will be. Our purpose is to promote unity and harmonisation, and to give aspiring candidates a platform to be heard,” Sseninde noted.
According to her, views gathered from the conference will guide the party’s Electoral Commission on whether to organise primary elections or adopt a consensus candidate.
She cited a recent case in Soroti where a similar engagement saw multiple aspirants step down, leaving a single consensus candidate.
“If consensus is not reached, the Electoral Commission will proceed to organise primaries and provide a roadmap for the process,” she added.
Present at the conference are the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Minister of State for Public service, Grace Mary Mugasa, Hon Emmanuel Dombo, Director of Information and Public relations; NRM EC Commissioners Hon. Jane Alisemera Babiiha and Driwaru Zaitun, and area MPs, among other district leaders.
