The State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Mr. David Bahati, who also serves as Kabale District National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman, has issued a stern warning to party registrars regarding the registration of non-Ugandans or underage individuals as party members.
The registration of new members and updates to the party register is scheduled to commence on March 13, ahead of the 2026 general election.
During a one-day training session on the registration exercise rules, Bahati emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean NRM party register in villages and warned against illegal registrations. He specifically warned Sub County registrars and village coordinators that involvement in such activities could lead to conviction and a seven-year prison sentence if proven guilty.
Bahati urged party registrars to prioritize dialogue in case of disputes, treating NRM members as one family. He also called for mobilization of NRM party supporters to actively participate in the member registration exercise and consistently vote for party members during primary elections.
Highlighting recent examples of community vigilance, Mr. Bahati encouraged Ugandans to remain vigilant and support security agencies in the fight against crime. He cited the case of boda boda operators who pursued and apprehended the suspected killers of Buganda’s Ndiga clan head, Daniel Bbosa.
Barbra Ainebyoona, the party’s district registrar, echoed Mr. Bahati’s message and urged Sub County registrars to reject politicians who attempt to exploit them for personal and political gains.
She provided instructions on maintaining the integrity of the NRM party register, emphasizing the removal of deceased individuals and requiring individuals from other political parties to provide an affidavit accompanied by an introduction letter from the area LC1 chairman when joining the NRM party.
The NRM party is taking these measures to ensure a transparent and inclusive registration process and to strengthen the party’s foundation in Kabale District.