NRM meets CEC aspirants as PWD leaders advocate greater inclusion

12 August 2025, 5:06 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission, in partnership with the party’s Secretary General, today held a special conference for members contesting Central Executive Committee (CEC) positions across the country. The meeting, held at the party’s Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala, was attended by several aspirants and senior party officials.

Addressing the gathering, Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi announced that the NRM Delegates Conference will be held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and is expected to attract about 20,000 delegates from across Uganda. He emphasised that all attendees will be required to undergo accreditation, receive identification tags, and meet other entry requirements to prevent impersonation. “I would like to tell those planning to come to the Delegates Conference without accreditation that they will be prosecuted,” he warned.

Vice Secretary General Rose Namayanja assured delegates that the party would provide for their welfare, including safety, health, and allowances, during the conference. Shukla Mokesh, an aspirant for a CEC position, welcomed the meeting, saying it had addressed challenges faced by members. He urged party leaders overseeing the elections to act fairly and discouraged smear campaigns, stressing that unity should prevail within the party.

However, some aspirants raised concerns about members contesting for positions while simultaneously serving on the vetting committee. Sewavah Mukasa, running for CEC Vice Chairperson for the Buganda region, said party leaders should lead by example and refrain from actions that contravene party rules. Quinto Ojok, an aspiring CEC member for the Northern region, described the practice as a conflict of interest.

Other attendees included Hon. Jim Muhwezi and Hon. Kintu Florence. The current CEC members’ term ends on 20 August 2025, with the Delegates Conference scheduled to take place at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), today hosted a special workshop for people with disabilities at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala. According to the 2014 National Population and Housing Census, 12.4% of Ugandans live with some form of disability, including difficulties with seeing, hearing, speaking, moving, and learning.

Participants at the workshop highlighted challenges such as the lack of walkways in buildings and called for facilities such as rockers in markets. Peace Serunkuma, KCCA’s representative for people with disabilities, said an upcoming ordinance would address these issues, including provisions for financial support.

The workshop brought together leaders from the four divisions of Kampala.