The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has clarified that its ongoing vote protection exercise ahead of the January 15, 2026, general elections is strictly focused on safeguarding votes cast for its presidential candidate, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and does not extend to parliamentary or other party candidates.
The clarification was made this morning during a joint press conference held at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) headquarters in Kyambogo, addressed by the Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the ONC, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, alongside the Chairman of NRM’s Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Hajjat Namyalo explained that the exercise is often misunderstood and stressed that the party is operating fully within the law.“Our vote protection exercise is being misinterpreted. We are not deploying agents to protect votes for Members of Parliament or other candidates. Our focus is solely on the presidential vote for our flag bearer,” she said.
She emphasized that all candidates must take responsibility for protecting their own electoral interests.“Every candidate, including those on the NRM ticket, must appoint their own polling agents.
The agents being trained by ONC are for the presidential candidate only, and their duty is clearly defined,” Hajjat Namyalo noted.
Dr. Tanga Odoi echoed her remarks, reiterating that no parliamentary or local government candidate should attempt to rely on presidential agents for vote protection.
He stressed that all parliamentary, local council and other candidates egardless of party affiliation must independently appoint their own accredited polling agents in line with electoral laws.
“No Member of Parliament, minister or any other flag bearers should push agents trained for the president to protect their votes. They must find their own agents.Their work is specific, and their mandate is clear,” he cautioned.
Dr. Odoi further outlined the NRM’s vote protection structure, explaining that coordination runs from the district level down to sub-counties, parishes and polling stations, with trained agents deployed specifically to safeguard the presidential vote. Each polling station, he said, will have three presidential agents—two primary agents and one standby.
He added that all facilitation funds for presidential agents will be managed transparently through district accounts and delivered in full, without deductions.
“There is no VAT, there is no removal of even one shilling. The money is for the agents protecting the presidential vote,” he emphasized. While urging agents to strictly follow Electoral Commission guidelines, Dr. Odoi encouraged them to remain firm and lawful in the execution of their duties.
“We shall be law-abiding, but we shall be very firm in protecting what belongs to the NRM, without fear or favor,” he said, while condemning all forms of violence and intimidation.
Meanwhile, Dr Tanga Odoi praised Namyalo for her leadership and organization of the exercise, revealing that verification of agent lists showed minimal challenges.
“So far, from our research, the lists sent to districts have only about 0.5 percent issues, which is minimal. That shows the work done has been excellent,” Tanga Odoi said.
He attributed some minor discrepancies to unavoidable circumstances, including health-related issues affecting a few selected agents.
“If an agent gives birth or is appointed a presiding officer, that is not sabotage; it is biology or good character. In such cases, we simply replace them,” he explained.
Tanga Odoi also asserted that President Museveni remains the dominant political force, citing internal assessments and research.“Our candidate is a leading candidate by far. All trajectories show he is heading towards 80 percent. That kind of strength breeds political envy. We do not have competitors; we have participants,” he said.
He warned against violence from both opposition actors and any NRM supporters who might attempt to intimidate voters.
“We condemn all violence. Any NRM member trying to cause chaos that deters our supporters from voting is hereby warned,” Tanga Odoi cautioned.
He specifically called for calm in areas that have experienced tension, urging self-styled political enforcers to withdraw and allow a peaceful environment for voting.
“I want towns and municipalities to be peaceful for President Museveni to enjoy his votes,” he said.
Dr Tanga Odoi concluded by commending Hajjat Namyalo for her performance so far and thanked Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa for chairing key coordination meetings.
“I thank Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo for the work she has done so far. She has done very well, and we are moving very well as a party,” he said.
Hajjat Namyalo also used the presser to commend party supporters for the massive turn-up at recent rallies and urged them to translate that enthusiasm into votes on polling day.
“Thank you so much for all the love you have shown our National Chairman and Jajja Bazzukulu. We are now looking at how we turn those big rallies into votes,” Hajjat Namyalo said.
She called on Ugandans to turn out in large numbers on January 15 and vote correctly for President Museveni, emphasizing peace, unity and the need to protect the country’s achievements.
“For purposes of peace, unity, safety and protecting our gains, I call upon all Ugandans to come out in bigger numbers and vote for His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for term seven,” she added.
Hajjat Namyalo also reminded voters to mark their ballots correctly, noting that President Museveni will appear last on the presidential ballot paper and that voters should tick in the correct column provided.
