NRM Reopens EALA Flag Bearer Race, Invites Fresh Expressions of Interest for Two Vacant Seats
In a public notice issued on Monday, June 29, 2026, the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, said the exercise follows Parliament of Uganda's announcement of vacancies for two Members of Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly and is being conducted in accordance with Rule 10 of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Rules of Procedure.
KAMPALA, June 29, 2026 — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has officially invited fresh Expressions of Interest from party members seeking to become the NRM flag bearers for two vacant positions in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), overriding an earlier selection process conducted in March this year.
In a public notice issued on Monday, June 29, 2026, the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, said the exercise follows Parliament of Uganda's announcement of vacancies for two Members of Parliament to the East African Legislative Assembly and is being conducted in accordance with Rule 10 of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Rules of Procedure.
The vacancies arose following the exit of Hon. Denis Namara, formerly MP for Buyaga West Constituency in Kagadi District, and Hon. James Kakooza, who represented Older Persons for the Central Region.
Dr. Odoi clarified that all aspiring candidates, including those who had participated in the March 2026 process, must submit fresh Expressions of Interest.
"This Call for Expression of Interest overrides the earlier process of March 2026. All aspirants must therefore express interest afresh. However, those who had paid Expression of Interest fees need not pay again," the notice states.
Eligibility Requirements
The Commission outlined strict eligibility conditions for aspiring candidates. Applicants must:
Be Ugandan citizens.
Be aged 18 years and above.
Be registered members of the NRM.
Have attained at least an Advanced Level (A-Level) education or its equivalent.
Not be public servants.
Not be serving members of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force, or Uganda Prisons Service.
Not be members of the 12th Parliament.
Be registered voters in the National Electoral Commission voters' register.
Not be cultural or traditional leaders.
Pay a non-refundable Expression of Interest fee of Shs2 million through Centenary Bank, Lugogo Branch, into the NRM account.
The Commission further emphasized that candidates must also satisfy all constitutional requirements applicable to Members of Parliament in Uganda.
Submission Timeline
According to the roadmap, interested party members are required to submit:
A written Expression of Interest addressed to the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission.
An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Submissions will be received at the NRM Electoral Commission offices on Plot 13 Kyadondo Road in Kampala from Monday, June 29, to Wednesday, July 1, 2026, closing at 12:00 noon.
Following the submission period, the NRM Electoral Commission will forward the names of aspiring candidates to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), which will scrutinize and recommend candidates for election by the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.
The Commission will subsequently announce the date, venue and procedures for the election of the party flag bearers.
NRM MPs to Decide Flag Bearers
The notice specifies that voting in the party primaries will be conducted exclusively by NRM Members of the 12th Parliament, who constitute the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.
The successful candidates will become the party's official nominees for election by Parliament to represent Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly for the remainder of the 2022–2027 term.
Preparations for Residual Local Council Elections
Besides the EALA process, the NRM Electoral Commission also announced preparations for residual elections to fill vacant positions for LC I Chairpersons and Village Women Council Committees.
The announcement follows the National Electoral Commission's release of the national programme for the elections of LC I Chairpersons, LC II Chairpersons and Women Councils. According to the party timetable:
NRM residual primaries will be conducted on 10 July 2026.
Endorsement of successful party candidates will take place from 11–14 July 2026.
The National Electoral Commission will nominate candidates from 15–19 July 2026.
Dr. Odoi urged interested NRM members intending to contest in the residual elections to prepare accordingly.
NRM Celebrates Recent By-election Victories
The Electoral Commission also used the notice to commend party members for their support following recent electoral victories.
Since the 2026 General Elections, the NRM has won two by-elections:
Kikuube District LC V Chairperson.
Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament.
The Commission highlighted the Kalangala victory as particularly significant, noting that the ruling party had successfully reclaimed the parliamentary seat.
"We thank all NRM Members for the unwavering support they have rendered to the mighty NRM over the years," Dr. Odoi said in the notice.
The latest roadmap sets the stage for a fresh contest within the ruling party as it seeks to fill Uganda's vacant seats in the East African Legislative Assembly while simultaneously preparing for grassroots leadership elections across the country.
