NRM defers roadmap, Museveni summons CEC

 By David Lumu

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has deferred the release of its adjusted election roadmap to next week, citing the need to deliberate more on proposals by members.

New Vision has also learnt that President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the NRM party chairperson, has summoned the Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Saturday to debate changes related to the party's electoral roadmap, among other emerging political issues.

Political party programmes regarding the forthcoming 2021 general elections were thrown off balance when the Electoral Commission (EC) last week released a new national electoral roadmap, rooting for scientific elections, which prohibit mass campaign rallies in favour of media/digital campaigns.

"Our party roadmap is not exhausted. CEC still has a lot to discuss. We are going back to CEC for a final discussion on the NRM roadmap, then unveil it next week," Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral commission chairperson, said.

The NRM roadmap was expected to be launched yesterday. However, to iron out the impeding issues related to the party's roadmap, especially the need to align it with the new national roadmap, Mike Mukula, the NRM vice-chairperson for the eastern region, said a CEC meeting has been summoned by Museveni on Saturday.

In March, the NRM secretary general, Justine Kasule Lumumba, rolled out a mass registration of new members and update of the party's register.

The exercise was meant to prepare for the party primaries, which were scheduled for September.

According to the amended NRM constitution, the party primary election for flag-bearers for political offices will be conducted by lining up behind candidates.

However, in the face of the COVID-19 threats, sources within CEC yesterday told New Vision that lining up could be abandoned in favour of secret ballot, which is in tandem with the social distancing measures in place to control the spread of COVID-19.

"There are many proposed changes that CEC might approve, including the mode of voting during our party primaries. Deliberations are ongoing and by Saturday, a streamlined position will be communicated to party members," a source told New Vision.

The Saturday CEC meeting will be the third meeting in two weeks. The first meeting, which was convened last Saturday, made changes at the party's secretariat.

The proposed changes by CEC saw the NRM director of finance and administration, Dr Hassan Wasswa Galiwango, replaced by Medina Naham, the NRM party chairperson of Koboko district.

Former Butaleja MP Emmanuel Dombo was appointed director of information and publicity, Jacqueline Kyatuheire as deputy national treasurer and Mathias Kasamba as director for mobilisation.

On Tuesday, CEC convened for the second time to consider the party's roadmap, but the discussions, Mukula said, were inconclusive.