Peaceful and credible NRM primary election: Lessons from Ibanda

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By Dr. Innocent Atuhe

In the National Resistance Movement (NRM), where electoral contests are often synonymous with tension, allegations of malpractice, and, at times, violence, the July 17, 2025, National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary election in Ibanda district offered a refreshing counter-narrative.

It should be noted that in the previous 2020 NRM primary election, we had two official flag bearers for district woman Member of Parliament; one declared by the NRM registrar, Ibanda district and another by the Chairperson, NRM electoral commission at Kyadondo road.

This time, we organized and held the first ever peaceful, credible, acceptable and transparent election as per election observers. Despite episodes of violence at the start of the campaigns, thereafter processes stood out for relative calm, transparency, and acceptance by both candidates and voters-proving that with the right approach and political will, Uganda can conduct internal party elections that are both peaceful and credible.

It is possible!  It has been proven by research done on Ugandan elections to explore the challenges and prospects of peaceful contests (Kituuka, 2021) that despite episodes of violence, the majority of Ugandans can still vote for their leaders in a peaceful, credible and transparent election. The NRM primary elections stand as the biggest election in the country carried out at 72000 polling stations country wide providing huge opportunity for learning.

The success of the Ibanda NRM primary is a lesson in how local leadership, citizen engagement, and institutional support can converge to uphold democratic principles, even within party structures (Nkurunziza & Okello, 2022). Several critical factors contributed to this success.

First and foremost, the timely communication of clear guidelines by the NRM electoral commission and the enforcement of rules were instrumental. The Kyadondo electoral commission, Ibanda District Executive Committee (DEC) and district elections staff kept and maintained neutrality and held aspirants accountable, creating an atmosphere of fairness as per the 2024 NRM Electoral Commission guidelines. This ensured trust by all stakeholders in the NRM election inputs, processes and outcome, the key dimensions of quality systems.

Secondly, the majority of aspirants in Ibanda demonstrated an unusual degree of maturity and restraint. This was partly due to restraint and caution from the Chairperson of the NRM electoral commission at the beginning of the campaigns. After a disciplinary meeting at Kyadondo, candidates followed guidelines to the latter and the subsequent campaign meetings were peaceful and satisfying for all candidates that participated. Rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric or mobilising youth for confrontations, they encouraged issue-based campaigning. This not only reduced tensions but also elevated the quality of campaign debate, offering voters real choices based on ideas rather than tribal, confrontational or factional allegiances. This was evident and has also been researched and proven as per the report on "the media and politics in Uganda: Elections and Coverage’’ (Tabaire & Ssemujju, 2021).

Third, the security agencies in the district struck a commendable balance-present enough to deter violence but not so intrusive as to intimidate voters. The offices of the Resident District Commissioner, District Police Commander, District Security Officer and other sister agencies were involved in joint planning and execution of the electoral activities, often working along with and seeking guidance from the NRM District Executive Committee and District Elections Officer.  The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPD) came in to reinforce security on the election day but did not interfere in the election processes or intimidate voters.

We applaud their professionalism in handling crowds and responding to potential election violence hotspots with calm, rather than force. A report by the Uganda Human Rights Commission [UHRC] in 2022 shows that where the security agencies are engaged professionally in all aspects of elections, transparency, credibility and acceptability of the processes and results are ensured.

Most importantly, voters from Ibanda district actively participated in campaigns, voting and protected their votes with some escorting the declaration forms peacefully up to the tally centre and maintaining calm outside the centre until the results were announced at 5:30 am in the morning of 18th July 2025. This is partly attributed to the several civic education radio programs we had on a weekly basis, sensitising voters on their right to vote, protection of their vote and the importance of their votes for service delivery.

 The voters in Ibanda demanded accountability, rejected bribery, and turned out in significant numbers despite voting starting late in some areas. This is the first time I have seen voters refusing to be influenced by bribery. From our research, some candidates that gave out money and hoes to influence voters all lost in the election.  This civic discipline and engagement sent a powerful message: credible elections are not just the responsibility of institutions and participants but of citizens too (Electoral Reform Coalition Uganda, 2023).

Use of the media: We used government airtime on Rwenzori FM, a local radio station, to educate the masses about their rights and the importance of their votes, disseminate election guidelines and provide updates on the election process periodically. We also held joint candidates’ radio talk shows to ask their voters to keep peace and order and to appreciate the fact that after elections, they will remain the same neighbours and community members, emphasising that we are one party and one family.

Both print, television and social media covered our activities and informed the masses. The media and civil society must be involved and empowered to monitor and report on internal party elections without fear or bias. Transparency at all levels-nomination, voting, and results declaration builds trust and ensures legitimacy (Freedom House, 2022).

The peaceful nature of one district’s primaries must become the norm rather than the exception. The NRM and other political parties must draw lessons from Ibanda and replicate them nationwide-investing in voter education, internal democracy, and conflict resolution mechanisms (Kiiza, 2020).

In conclusion, the peaceful and credible NRM primary election in Ibanda is more than a district-level victory. It is a model for how party democracy can thrive in Uganda when integrity, responsibility, and respect for the electoral process are prioritised. As the country prepares for forthcoming general elections, all stakeholders, political parties, the Electoral Commission, security organs, and the electorate must take note. Peaceful and credible elections are not fallacy dreams; they are possible, and Ibanda just showed us how.

The writer is the Ibanda District NRM Vice Chairperson and a Candidate for NRM Vice Chairperson on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for Western Region.