The ruling National Resistance Movement ( NRM ) party has allocated a massive Shs 15 billion for voter registration activities ahead of the 2026 general election.
Sources within the NRM secretariat told our media that funding voter mobilization and registration is one of the party’s top financial priorities for the election season. The large allocation signals how important voter turnout will be to the NRM’s attempts to maintain its electoral dominance.
“Voter registration is a critical part of our election strategy. We want to maximize the number of eligible NRM supporters who are registered to vote,” said an NRM official who asked not to be named. “That’s why we’re dedicating substantial resources to activities like mobilizing voters, transporting them to registration centers, and assisting them with the registration process.”
Some of the funds will go towards printing promotional materials like posters, flyers and T-shirts emblazoned with messages encouraging Ugandans to register to vote. NRM coordinators at the district level will also receive funding to organize rallies and community meetings to boost awareness of the importance of registration.
“A big turnout of registered NRM supporters on polling day works in our favor. So we’ll spare no effort or expense to maximize new voter registrations, especially in areas we view as NRM strongholds,” said the party official.
However observers say the large budget allocation underlines how voter registration numbers could influence the outcome of upcoming elections. Critics argue the funds may give the ruling party an unfair advantage by allowing them to mobilize support more effectively than opposition groups with smaller budgets.
The NRM is aiming to maintain its hold on power in what is expected to be a highly contested 2026 election season. Strategies like aggressive voter registration drives could help tip the scales in their favor on polling day.