President Yoweri Museveni is hosting National Resistance Movement (NRM) big wigs for the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at State House Entebbe.
The NEC session is the second in a series of high-level engagements called by the President ahead of the NRM National Delegates’ Conference scheduled for 27th and 28th August at Kololo.
According to insiders NEC is set to review and adopt its report and resolutions.
According to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong NEC comprises of thousands of leaders from across the NRM structure, including Members of Parliament, District Chairpersons, and senior cadres.
Key agenda items on the table include President Museveni’s address, presentation of the Secretary General’s report, endorsement of recommended candidates for CEC positions, and campaigns by the contestants.
Yesterday the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) unanimously endorsed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the party’s sole candidate for both party chairman and presidential flagbearer in the forthcoming elections.
In the same sitting, CEC also confirmed Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo as the sole candidate for the position of First National Vice Chairman, reinforcing his long-standing role as a pillar of party leadership.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong told journalists on Friday that the endorsements are a clear demonstration of the unity, stability, and continuity within the party as it prepares for the next phase of Uganda’s democratic journey.
“As required by the Constitution of the party, aspirants for top positions are vetted by CEC before their names are presented to NEC, which then forwards them to the National Conference. I am happy to report that His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was vetted unopposed, having been nominated unopposed,” Todwong said.
He added, “Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, too, was vetted and endorsed unopposed. Their sole candidatures reflect the overwhelming confidence of the party in their ability to provide consistent and tested leadership.”
While other positions have attracted multiple aspirants, Todwong revealed that the party has encouraged dialogue and consensus to reduce contestation. “The party has been engaging candidates to consider the bigger picture of national leadership. Some have voluntarily stepped down after reflection, not out of coercion but through persuasion,” he said.
Todwong also noted that talks are ongoing between the First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to see if they can harmonize their position on who will take the flag for Second National Vice Chairperson (Female). Should talks fail, NEC will make a final decision on the flagbearer for the position currently held by Kadaga.
Preparations for the NEC meeting are underway, with accreditation currently being conducted for Members of Parliament on the NRM ticket, LC5 chairpersons, district executives, and city and municipal mayors.