By Shivan Ayebare
The Deputy National Treasurer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Ms. Jackline Kyatuheire, has said the ruling party is fully prepared for the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Kabale District, Kyatuheire said the NRM has intensified campaigns across the country, with President Yoweri Museveni returning to areas he had not previously covered, including West Nile, Koboko and Busoga. She said the President is expected to campaign in Kasese on Monday, ahead of the official close of campaigns on Tuesday, when the NRM will hold its final rally at Kololo.
Kyatuheire said the party leadership has moved across all six districts of the Kigezi sub-region, meeting village committees and collecting feedback from party agents. She described the village committees as the backbone of the party’s election machinery, noting that each has 63 members drawn from mainstream leadership, women, youth and persons with disabilities.
She urged party leaders to closely monitor mobilisation at grassroots level and cautioned that some local leaders were not fully following party directives. She also appealed to undecided voters to work with others to strengthen the party’s performance.
Kyatuheire noted that January 15 and 16 have been declared public holidays to allow Ugandans time to vote. She encouraged workers in the corporate sector to turn up and cast their ballots, saying leadership determines the direction of the country.
She added that voter registers have been distributed to all villages and tasked committees to ensure all eligible voters are captured and mobilised, including those living far from polling stations. She reminded voters that voting will be by thumbprint.
On internal party disagreements, especially in Kigezi, Kyatuheire called for unity and reconciliation, warning against supporting independent candidates after losing in party primaries. She cited constituencies such as Isingiro North and Rwampara where NRM candidates are unopposed.
She also cautioned against violence and internal rivalry, urging members to remain disciplined.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Edward Natukunda briefed voters on security and voting procedures, saying polling will run from 7:00am to 4:00pm. He assured voters of tight security and explained that polling stations will have clear entry and exit points.
Natukunda said voters should carry their voter location slips or national identity cards. He added that voters will cast ballots for the President, Woman MP and Constituency MP.
He warned against misinformation on social media, including claims that voters should cross out candidates they do not support, saying such actions would invalidate the vote.
