KAMPALA— As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) finds itself at a critical inflection point. The party, long associated with dominance and discipline, is now grappling with internal upheaval, a generational shift, and rising pressure from a restless electorate. With party primaries slated for July 16, 2025, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Veterans are fighting to extend their long-held influence, fresh faces are pushing for change, and the battle lines—both old and new—are being drawn.
A Party of Giants, Nearing Sunset
For nearly four decades, the NRM has been the cornerstone of Ugandan politics. Its enduring rule is personified by a cadre of veteran lawmakers whose political careers span generations. Chief among them is Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, 81, who has represented Buyanja County since 2006. Speaking after collecting his nomination forms last Wednesday, Kasaija was both combative and confident. “Let the youth contest against me, and I’ll beat them hands down,” he said defiantly, pledging that his next term would be his last.
Kasaija’s remark reflects a larger sentiment within the NRM old guard—one of resilience in the face of growing calls for generational change. General Moses Ali, 86, the second Deputy Prime Minister and MP for East Moyo County, sent an equally symbolic message. Too frail to leave his car, party officials brought his nomination forms to him, a gesture that underscored both his age and influence.
Then there’s Rebecca Kadaga, the Kamuli Woman MP since 1989. A former Speaker of Parliament and longtime political heavyweight, Kadaga’s survival through storms like the 2017 Age Limit amendment shows her political dexterity. Alongside stalwarts like Jim Muhwezi (Rujumbura, since 1986) and Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (Ruhinda, since 1996), Kadaga represents a party legacy that’s both formidable and increasingly under question.
With 2026 potentially marking a final chapter for many of these titans—including party chairman President Yoweri Museveni, who analysts believe may pave the way for his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba—the party’s future is up for grabs.
Journalists Join the Political Arena
A new class of contenders is emerging, and their roots lie not in traditional political circles but in the media. In a high-profile pivot, three former NBS Television journalists have picked up NRM nomination forms to contest parliamentary seats. Charles Mwanguhya Mpagi is contesting for Burahya County in Kabarole, Victoria Bagaaya is eyeing the Woman MP seat for Fort Portal Tourism City, and Julius Nabimanya is running in Nakaseke North.
Their decisions follow a mass resignation from the newsroom in April, when five journalists left the media house to pursue political ambitions. Among them, Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa has joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) to contest Nansana Municipality, while Jonah Byakutaaga is targeting Hoima City East, and Tuff B (Mpaji Sekidde) is running for Makindye East.
For the NRM, these transitions signify a generational shift. These journalists have built substantial followings and possess media savvy that could help them connect with a more youthful, skeptical electorate. But their challenge will be unseating entrenched political figures who still wield vast networks and resources.
New Blood, Old Fights
This year’s NRM primaries are not merely procedural—they are battlegrounds. The entry of newcomers and high-profile defectors has stirred both opportunity and discontent. While some see the NRM as a launchpad for political careers, others argue it’s becoming a shelter for opportunists.
Opposition MPs such as Dr. Twaha Kagabo (formerly of the National Unity Platform), Anthony Akol (FDC, Kilak North), and independents like Abdul Katuntu (Bugweri) and Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (Bardege-Layibi) have all recently crossed over to the NRM. Their defection is a testament to the party’s pull—but it’s also deepening tensions within the ranks.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Lira City, where a political showdown brews between Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Gender Minister Betty Amongi. Amongi, who is aligned with the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and is married to political heavyweight Jimmy Akena, is challenging Aceng for the woman MP seat. Aceng, an NRM loyalist, is banking on her public health record. But in a city that blends political legacy with personal loyalty, the race could fracture party cohesion. “This isn’t just about Lira,” says political analyst Newton Akampa. “It’s a test of whether the NRM can manage internal competition without imploding.”
In Lwemiyaga County, another political flashpoint is heating up. Theodore Ssekikubo, who has represented the constituency since 2001, faces a stiff challenge from retired General Rwashande. Known for his sharp criticism of NRM excesses, Ssekikubo has often walked a fine line between loyalty and dissent. “I will never shy away from constructive criticism,” he has repeatedly said. His re-election bid is shaping up as a referendum on how much dissent the NRM can tolerate within its own ranks.
The Stakes of 2026
Beyond personalities, the 2025 NRM primaries are setting the stage for a national reckoning. With 556 parliamentary seats up for grabs, the NRM hopes to maintain its supermajority—a dominance that currently exceeds 70% of the 11th Parliament.
But that position is both an asset and a liability. While it gives the NRM legislative muscle, it also paints a target on the party, especially amid growing youth disillusionment, economic pressure, and the emergence of new political formations like the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and Democratic Front (DF).
During a recent meeting with district election officers, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong was clear: integrity is non-negotiable. “The integrity of NRM leadership will be tested by your works in the exercise we are yet to undertake,” he told election officers. “Don’t be compromised. The stakes are high. The interests are compounded. You are going to be accused—either wrongly or correctly. Stand for the right things.”
A Party at the Crossroads
The NRM has always been a party of contradictions—deeply hierarchical but adaptive, conservative yet pragmatic. As July 16 approaches, the party must reconcile its dual identity: honoring long-serving heroes while ushering in new blood capable of speaking to today’s Uganda.
The 2025 primaries are not just about names on ballots—they are a barometer of change. They will reveal whether the NRM can evolve while remaining coherent, whether loyalty can coexist with renewal, and whether the party that shaped Uganda’s post-independence era can still define its future.
In a political landscape where legacy and innovation are colliding, the NRM’s internal battles will ripple far beyond party walls. They could shape the character—and legitimacy—of Uganda’s next government.
