EDITOR
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has issued a stern reminder to its members regarding the use of party symbols and conduct when contesting as independent candidates.
In a directive from Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong Awany, the party emphasized that any individual who is not a duly declared NRM flag bearer is strictly prohibited from using the party’s flag, emblem, logo, or other identifiers in personal campaigns. Unauthorized use, the statement notes, misleads the public and undermines the party’s democratic processes, and constitutes an offence under the Uganda Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006.
The directive also instructs all NRM leaders who choose to contest as independent candidates against official party flag bearers, or actively support such candidates, to immediately step aside from their roles within the party. In such instances, the next person in the party hierarchy will assume responsibilities in an acting capacity to ensure continuity and effective mobilization for the NRM’s official candidates.
Independent candidates are further advised that while they may express support for the NRM Presidential candidate, they must use only the official NRM symbol—the bus—on campaign materials. Candidates are permitted to display their own independent symbols but must clearly differentiate these from the party’s symbols to prevent voter confusion.
Rt. Hon. Todwong stressed that the measures reflect the NRM’s core values of discipline, loyalty, and unity, calling on all members to respect the integrity of party structures, symbols, and internal democratic choices.
