Kyambogo, Kampala: The Senior Presidential Advisor and Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, and the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi have clarified that NRM vote protectors are strictly mandated to protect votes of President Yoweri Museveni and must not be diverted to serve the interest of the party’s parliamentary flag bearers.
The clarification came on Thursday, January 08, 2026, shortly after a high-level NRM Vote Protection Committee meeting held at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) headquarters in Kyambogo.
Speaking to the press, Namyalo said the vote protection exercise is a presidential mission, warning that any attempt to dilute it through parallel political interests would undermine the party’s electoral strategy.
“These agents are protecting the President’s votes. They are not for MPs,” She said. “Parliamentary flag bearers must get their own agents. Do not divert presidential vote protectors from their principal responsibility.”
Hajjat explained that the vote protection structure is deliberately layered to ensure discipline, accountability and efficiency from district level down to polling stations.
“At sub-county level, the NRM registrar and the ONC coordinator work together. At parish level, the parish registrar and ONC coordinator manage all polling agents. Their duty is to ensure agents are facilitated, supported and focused on protecting the President’s vote,” she said.
She further cautioned ONC coordinators against clashing with the official vote protection lists issued by NRM district headquarters, stressing that internal disputes weaken coordination.
“Do not fight the lists. Work with the district registrar so that facilitation, welfare and logistics are properly handled. Discipline and order are key,” she said.
Namyalo strongly urged all vote protectors to strictly comply with Electoral Commission regulations, warning that misconduct, violence or chaos on polling day would tarnish the party’s image. “Even as we protect the President’s vote, we must operate within the law. Any contradictions must be handled legally, not through violence or chaos,” Namyalo said.
Tanga Backs Namyalo Position, Warns MPs
The NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi speaking at the same ress briefing said the party’s vote protection exercise is an elaborate, nationwide structure designed exclusively around the presidential race.
“We are training agents for the presidential flag bearer. We are not training agents for MPs,” Dr Odoi said. “No MP, minister or honourable should push or cajole presidential agents to do their work.”
He outlined the party’s vote protection organogram, noting that at district level, coordination lies jointly with the NRM district registrar and district ONC coordinator, who supervise sub-county and parish structures.
Odoi noted that internal political assessments show President Museveni commanding a strong national lead, a situation he said has generated provocation and jealousy from opponents. “Our candidate is leading by far. That brings envy. Let us not be dragged into illegal actions. We condemn violence from the opposition and from our own supporters,” he said.
He commended Namyalo for coordinating agent recruitment, saying internal verification showed minimal discrepancies. “She has done very well. Where replacements were needed, they were handled professionally,” Odoi said, also praising Thomas Tayebwa for steering the vote protection process.
Ballot Security and Vote Turnout
Dr Odoi urged vote protectors to record serial numbers of ballot papers unpacked by the Electoral Commission, citing past incidents where unauthorised ballot papers were allegedly smuggled into polling stations, particularly in Kampala and parts of central Uganda.
Dr Odoi also heaped praise on ONC Manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo for coordinating the recruitment of vote protectors, saying internal verification revealed minimal discrepancies.
“She has done very well. Where issues arose, they were natural. If an agent becomes a presiding officer, that reflects good character. We simply replace them,” he said.
He urged NRM supporters and Ugandans to turn out and vote, warning against complacency. “No vote is won without casting a ballot. Do not sit back and say the election is already won,” he said.
Namyalo echoed Tanga’s call, urging Jajja’s supporters to ignore complacency narratives. “Your vote is what will make H.E. Yoweri Museveni win. Do not sit back. Let us go and vote so that he wins genuinely from your votes,” she said.
Uganda goes to the polls on Thursday, January 15, 2026, to elect the President and Members of Parliament.
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