NRM Registers Over 18 Million Members Despite Disruption by Money Lenders Illegally Confiscating National IDs from Ugandans
By The Public Lens
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has registered a membership of over 18.3 million individuals despite the criminal activities of money lenders who confiscate national identity cards from Ugandans.
The illegal confiscation of national identity cards by money lenders caused profound difficulties for some of individuals who wanted to register as members to the party.
The large number arising from the recent registration process which took place between the 13th and 17th of this month surpasses the total number of registered voters in the 2021 elections, which stood at approximately 18,103,603.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the NRM party Chairperson, shared the registration results during a meeting with the NRM Central Executive Committee yesterday evening at State House Entebbe.
President Museveni during his address raised concerns over the illegal practice of confiscating national identity cards by moneylenders and assured the committee that the issue would be addressed as soon as possible even if it means through legislation if necessary.
“There were some gaps in the process such as the criminality of money lenders who take away national Identity Cards from Ugandans, and the limited involvement of NRM village chairpersons .We have agreed to address those loopholes through legislation if necessary and return identity cards to the people at an appropriate time,” said President Museveni.
Despite the observed gaps in the registration process, the NRM party reported a remarkable membership count of 18.3 million.
President Museveni expressed appreciation to NRM members for their enthusiastic response to the registration program, considering it a positive start to the ongoing process.
NRM began preparations to update its register on March 13th, 2024, following its official launch on February 28th, 2024 by President Museveni as part of the party electoral roadmap for the 2026 elections.
Notably, the president actively participated in the register update exercise, personally updating his particulars in the party register, which was overseen by NRM party Secretary General, Richard Todwong.
With an eye on the 2026 elections NRM this year started intensifying its grassroots mass mobilization efforts across the country.
The party’s primary focus ahead of the elections includes internal elections, the renewal of leadership within the party structures, and the selection of flag bearers for various positions.
To facilitate the upcoming elections, the NRM’s electoral commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, released a tentative roadmap for the party’s electoral structure in 2023. This roadmap will serve as a guide for the NRM as it continues its preparations for the 2026 elections.
