The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has called for a fresh expression of interest from party members seeking to contest for the party flag in the upcoming East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by-election. Addressing journalists on Monday at the Commission headquarters in Kampala, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, said the exercise follows Parliament’s declaration of two vacancies for Uganda’s representatives to the Arusha-based regional assembly.
The vacancies arose after Buyaga West Member of Parliament Denis Namara and Central Region Older Persons Representative James Kakooza resigned from EALA following their election to Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Dr Odoi said the fresh expression of interest supersedes the exercise conducted in March 2026, requiring all interested aspirants to submit new applications. He explained that the earlier exercise, which attracted 38 applicants, was conducted hurriedly, making it necessary to repeat the process.
However, candidates who paid the required non-refundable expression of interest fee of two million shillings during the March exercise will not be required to pay again. The new applicants are required to pay a non-refundable expression of interest fee of two million shillings through the party’s Centenary Bank account.
Interested candidates have been directed to submit written expressions of interest, together with updated curriculum vitae, to the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission at the party headquarters on Plot 13, Kyadondo Road, Kampala, between Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1, 2026, before midday.
The Commission has outlined the minimum qualifications for aspirants. Candidates must be Ugandan citizens aged 18 years and above, registered voters, members of the NRM, and holders of at least an Advanced Level certificate or its equivalent. They must also not be public servants, members of the armed forces, cultural or traditional leaders, or serving members of the 12th Parliament.
Dr Odoi said the names of all aspiring candidates will be forwarded to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) for scrutiny before recommendations are submitted to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, which will elect the party’s flag bearers. The Electoral Commission will later announce the date, venue, and time for the internal election. Meanwhile, the NRM Electoral Commission has also announced preparations for residual elections to fill vacant party flag bearer positions for Local Council I Chairpersons and Women Council Committees at the village level.
According to the programme, the NRM primaries for the residual positions will be held on July 10, 2026. Successful candidates will be endorsed between July 11 and July 14, ahead of the National Electoral Commission’s nomination exercise scheduled for July 15 to July 19. Dr Odoi urged interested party members to prepare in line with the announced timetable-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
