Kampala, (UG):- The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Wednesday kicked off the exercise of updating its register popularly known as the NRM Yellow Book amid a stern warning to the Registrars not to interfere or manipulate member details in the register to avoid having non-existent members at the end of the exercise.
The rallying call was made by the Manager and Head of the office of National Chairman (ONC), Hajjati Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye while monitoring the registration exercise in areas of Kampala where several supporters complained about irregularities in the ongoing exercise such as some of them having their names missing in the yellow books while others had their names repeated several times.
Ms Namyalo urged the registrars and the leaders at the NRM secretariat at Kyadondo Road not to mess with what she described as Museveni’s Yellow book because this may cost the party’s political strength. She added that tampering with the registers may let down the president yet the exercise is meant to promote him and the party.
The ONC Boss also discovered that in some areas within and across the country where the exercise was taking place, the registrars were not well facilitated, leading to a low turn-up on the first of the registration renewal and update exercise.
In some places she reached out personally, Ms Namyalo established that some people who have been deployed to carry out the exercise were facilitated with only Shs10,000/- (ten thousand Uganda shillings) which caters for breakfast, lunch and transport, something which she said was unfair given the nature and workload they have to undertake.
How the NRM Register Update went on in other places
In several other areas across the country, the exercise was generally a fair one, with the turnout summed up as optimal as ONC Coordinators and NRM mobilisers anticipate more people expected to turn up in the coming days.
In Wakiso for example, Mr. Luzinda Henry, the ONC coordinator says the main challenge they faced on the first was poor sensitization and cooperation with some LC 1 chairpersons. He, however, remains hopeful that with more sensitization to the grassroots, the party will double its membership further calling upon all NRM members in Wakiso and other areas countrywide to to mobilize and encourage as many people as possible to come and register for this important exercise.
“The registration process will continue in the remaining four days, so let’s all work together to make it a success. Let’s not let poor sensitization or lack of cooperation hinder us from achieving our goal. This is our chance to make a difference and have a say in the future of our district and country.” Luzinda said while addressing leaders in Busukuma, Wakiso District.
In the same vein, the ONC Coordinator for Nansana Municipality Mr Happy John Bagenda used the same opportunity to highlight the importance of the registration exercise noting that it is crucial for the upcoming elections.
”This process ensures that all eligible voters are accounted for and can exercise their right to vote. It also allows for a more accurate representation of the NRM Members in the electoral process. This is a reminder to all NRM members and citizens of Wakiso to take part in this exercise and not miss this opportunity to have their voices heard in the democratic process,” Mr John Bagenda said.
“As a district, we must come together and ensure that every eligible individual is registered and included in the upcoming party elections,” he added.
In Greater Mbarara Regions’ Ntungamo District, where the first Janet Museveni is the NRM District Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, the overall supervisor of the exercise witnessed a massive turnup for the exercise, with the bigwigs in the western district including RDCs, LC5 Chairperson, MPs all showing up to have their details updated.
The ONC Coordinator for Ntungamo Ms Birungi Winnie and Muzukulu Coordinator Ms Nsimenta Shallon also joined the NRM supporters in successfully updating their details in the NRM Yellow Book at Kyamate Cell, Kyamate Ward, in Ntungamo Municipality.
In Ibanda District however, particularly Kagongo Division, Kyaruhanga Ward KYEERETA Cell, the ONC District Coordinator Mr Mukwatsibwe Moses and Mr Abaine Benon, Muzukulu coordinator Greater Mbarara found no Registrar at the registration point, with the team registering a very low turn up in almost 10 villages reached out by Wednesday afternoon.
In Katakwi District, Vice President, H.E Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo who also doubles as the Chairperson Katakwi NRM Veterans League also updated her details in the ongoing at Oigo Imomwa Village, Aketa Parish, Ongongoja Sub County, Katakwi District on Wednesday afternoon, where she rallied the masses to embrace the exercise ahead of the forthcoming electoral activities in the party and the country at large.
NRM National Treasurer Hon. Amb. Nekesa Barbara Oundo, who also updated her membership in Busia district, emphasized the vital importance of the process. “We will use the same register for our structure elections shortly,” she remarked.
Oundo appealed to members to ensure their details were accurately captured, stressing alignment with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA)’s records.
“I urge everyone to utilize these five days to crosscheck their details in the NRM membership register,” she urged. “Remember, this is not a voter’s register but a register for party faithful aged 16 and above. Let’s approach this as a collective responsibility, with everyone playing a vigilant role,” she said.
The NRM Register Update exercise which runs until Sunday, March 17 is aimed at updating details of the ruling party and registering new members in all villages across the country ahead of the 2026 general Elections.
The party expects to register an estimated number of between 17 million to 20 million members who will see NRM winning the 2026 elections.
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