A 30-year-old Briton, Kiwanuka, was on Monday turned away from the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission offices after attempting to express interest in contesting for the position of party chairperson, currently held by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He was informed that no nomination forms were available.
Kiwanuka, who arrived with dozens of supporters, was told to return on Friday at midday. This came despite the ongoing window for expression of interest in Central Executive Committee positions, which officially closes on July 1, 2025.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed that the nomination forms were not yet ready but would be available on Friday July 4. That day also marks the final opportunity for candidates to be nominated.
Dr. Odoi cautioned aspirants against obtaining forms from unofficial sources, emphasizing that genuine documents are printed with security features. He explained that the delay was not an effort to block potential contenders, but rather a result of procedural preparations.
However, the timing puts Kiwanuka at a disadvantage. Since Friday is the last day for nominations, he will have only a few hours to secure seconders and endorsements. His intended opponent, President Museveni, has had the entire week and is expected to return his nomination papers on Saturday July 5, a date the party has designated for him.
Kiwanuka expressed frustration at the disorganization. “I cannot pay 20 million shillings and then be told there are no forms, especially in this tough economy,” he said. “I heard they gave my mentor, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, nomination forms on Saturday June 28. So did they print only one form? That is my question.”
Although upset, Kiwanuka affirmed that he is not challenging the President’s leadership. Instead, he said he wants to assist by taking on the role of party chairperson.
He noted that many party members struggle to access the President, and that the responsibilities of leading the NRM could be shared with someone like him, whom he described as “his grandson.” Banking documents presented by Kiwanuka show that he paid the 20 million shillings nomination fee at Centenary Rural Development Bank, Nkrumah Branch, in Kampala earlier in the day.
“Even if the tree grows taller and bigger, at one point it needs branches to hold the fruits,” he said, using a metaphor to explain his bid.
He also questioned the fairness of the nomination process, noting that the party announced the expression of interest period would run from June 26 to July 1. He wondered how he was expected to pick up forms on Friday, after that deadline.
Kiwanuka is a registered voter from Kivubuka B, Ivunamba Ward, Jinja North Division in Jinja District.
Over the weekend, President Museveni paid 40 million shillings to retain his positions as both the NRM presidential flag bearer for the 2026 elections and party chairperson. He has held these positions since the formation of the party.
In March 2019, during the party’s parliamentary caucus retreat in Kyankwanzi, State Minister for Investments Evelyn Anite moved a motion to endorse Museveni as the sole candidate for the presidency in 2021 and future elections.
The Central Executive Committee later adopted the resolution during a retreat in Chobe, confirming Museveni as the uncontested presidential flag bearer and party chairperson.
Two weeks ago, a similar incident occurred at the NRM Electoral Commission offices when Julius Tumuhimbise, 36, from Bushenyi, attempted to pick up nomination forms to contest for the presidency on the NRM ticket.
He was turned away with the explanation that the process for presidential nominations had not yet been opened. Tumuhimbise also argued that he had every right, as a party member, to seek the top seat.
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