Race for NRM National Women’s Council Positions Officially Opens

KAMPALA — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has officially opened the expression of interest process for party members seeking to contest for positions on the National Women’s Council Committee ahead of the forthcoming NRM primaries.

The exercise was announced on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, during a press briefing as the party commenced the issuance of nomination forms for the national-level Women’s Council Committee elections.

According to Dr. Odoi, the expression of interest exercise opened on September 1 and will close on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

He emphasized that the entire process is free of charge, stressing that no aspirant is required to make any payment to collect, fill in, or submit the expression of interest forms.

The exercise is expected to pave the way for NRM members aspiring to occupy key leadership positions at the apex of the party's Women’s Council structure.

Four positions are open for contest at the national level. These include the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Publicity Secretary and Secretary for Finance.

However, the position of Secretary will not be contested through an election at the national level.

Dr. Odoi said the Electoral Commission has established a tight schedule to ensure that the entire process, from nomination to polling, is conducted efficiently and transparently.

Nominations for the candidates are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the NRM Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kampala.

Immediately after the nomination exercise, successful candidates will proceed to the campaign stage, which is scheduled to run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Voting will then commence at 2:00 p.m. at the same venue, with delegates expected to elect their leaders through a secret ballot. 

The process will be supervised by a team of NRM Electoral Commission officials led by Dr. Tanga Odoi. 

Other members of the Electoral Commission team overseeing the exercise include the Vice Chairperson, Hon. Fred Jacan Omach, as well as Commissioners Hon. Dr. James Tweheyo, Hon. Jane Alisemera, Hon. Juliana Modesta Auma, Hon. Zaituni Dwaru, and Counsel Enock Barata.

The opening of the expression of interest process marks another important stage in the NRM's ongoing internal electoral activities aimed at constituting party structures at different levels.

The National Women’s Council plays an important role in mobilising women within the party, promoting their participation in political and socio-economic programmes, and providing a platform through which women can participate in leadership and decision-making processes.

With the expression of interest window set to close at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, eligible NRM members aspiring to contest for the available national positions have been urged to collect and submit their forms within the stipulated timeframe.

The aspirants will thereafter participate in the nomination, campaign and polling activities scheduled to take place at the NRM Electoral Commission Headquarters in Kampala.

The outcome of the primaries is expected to determine the party's leadership at the national level of the Women's Council, as the NRM continues its broader exercise of strengthening and completing its structures across the country.