NRM Warns Independent Candidates Against Using Party Symbols ‎ ‎

‎The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has warned individuals contesting as independent candidates against using the party’s official symbols, flag, and identifiers in their campaigns.

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‎In a memorandum dated October 22, 2025, and signed by the party’s Secretary General, Richard Todwong Awany, the Secretariat said it had come to their attention that some individuals who are not NRM flag bearers were using the NRM flag, emblem, and other identifiers during their personal campaigns.

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‎“Any person who is not a duly declared NRM flag bearer for any elective position is strictly prohibited from using the NRM flag, symbols, or any other identifiers of the party in their campaigns or related activities,” the memo reads in part.

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‎The party said such use of its registered symbols by unauthorized persons misleads the public and undermines the integrity of its internal democratic processes.

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‎The memorandum further directed that any party leader who chooses to contest as an independent candidate against the official NRM flag bearer, or who actively supports and campaigns for an independent, should immediately step aside from their official roles and responsibilities within the party.

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‎ “In such cases, the next person in the hierarchy as guided by the party constitution shall assume those responsibilities in acting capacity to ensure continuity and effective mobilization for our flag bearers,” the memo adds.

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‎The Secretariat said the decision is intended to maintain discipline, loyalty, and unity within the party, and to prevent conflicts of interest and internal sabotage.

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‎The memo, however, notes that independent candidates may express support for the NRM presidential candidate and party chairman, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, but must do so using only the official party symbol.

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‎ “They must strictly ensure that only the official NRM symbol, the bus, is used to represent him,” the memo states.

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‎The NRM also warned that any independent candidate who continues to breach the party’s rights to its symbols and identifying marks commits an offence under the Uganda Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006.

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‎The communication was copied to the NRM National Chairperson and the NRM Regional Vice Chairpersons.

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