The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has ushered in a new era of leadership after dramatic elections at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. In a night full of surprises, only President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the party’s National Chairman, and his First Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Moses Kigongo, managed to hold onto their seats unchallenged. All other incumbents were swept aside, making way for fresh faces in the Central Executive Committee (CEC).
The elections, which began on Wednesday afternoon and stretched late into the night, ended at 4:30 a.m. when Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, declared the final results. What followed was a major shake-up in the party’s top organ.
One of the biggest highlights was Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among defeating her long-time rival and former Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga. Among won the position of Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) in a landslide, gathering 11,680 votes against Kadaga’s 902. In her victory speech, Among thanked delegates for their support and extended an olive branch to Kadaga, saying the party would continue to draw from her wisdom and experience.
The Eastern Region also witnessed drama when outgoing Vice Chairperson Captain Mike Mukula unexpectedly stepped down at the last moment and endorsed David Calvin Echodu. Echodu went on to win overwhelmingly with 99.5% of the vote. In Karamoja, John Baptist Lokii secured victory with more than 80% of the vote, while in Northern Uganda, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua crushed his rivals by a wide margin.
The Western Region contest turned tense when Dr. Chris Baryomunsi lost to newcomer Asiimwe Jonard Akiiki. Baryomunsi protested before the President, alleging voter importation, but the results stood. Meanwhile, Kampala’s Salim Saad Uhuru defeated Singh Katongole, while in the Central Region, State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kasolo narrowly edged out Moses Karangwa in a hotly contested race.
At around midnight, President Museveni personally intervened to resolve delays during the lining-up voting method. He ordered unaccredited individuals to be removed from the queues, which allowed the process to continue smoothly. After dawn, Museveni congratulated the winners and called for calm among those who lost, assuring them that any irregularities would be investigated.
The newly elected NRM CEC (2025–2030) now includes Museveni as Chairman, Moses Kigongo as 1st Vice Chairperson, and Anita Among as 2nd Vice Chairperson (Female). The regional representatives are David Calvin Echodu (Eastern), John Baptist Lokii (Karamoja), Hamson Obua (Northern), Asiimwe Jonard Akiiki (Western), Salim Uhuru (Kampala), and Haruna Kasolo (Central). Members from special interest groups will soon join to complete the team.
Later today, President Museveni is expected to officially close the Delegates Conference, unveil the new CEC leadership, and be introduced as NRM’s unopposed flagbearer for the 2026 presidential elections.
This election has marked a turning point in the NRM, with veteran leaders stepping aside and a new generation taking charge, signaling shifting power dynamics within Uganda’s ruling party.
