NRM Party Digitizes Membership Register for Seamless Card Distribution
The NRM party is digitizing its membership register to streamline the distribution of membership cards and improve internal processes. Maj. (Rtd) Awich Pollar, the Director for External Affairs, explained that the system will uniquely identify members by serial numbers, making the issuance of cards seamless once approved by the Central Executive Committee.
Lango Data Centre
The NRM party plans to utilize its digitized membership register to distribute membership cards to all its members, Maj. (Rtd) Awich Pollar, the party’s Director for External Affairs, has disclosed.
Speaking on Tuesday 10th December 2024 in Gulu City, where he is overseeing the digitalization of the NRM membership register in the Acholi sub-region, Maj. Awich explained:
“Once the digital register is fully operational and the party decides to issue membership cards, the process will be seamless because each member will be uniquely identified by serial numbers in the system.”
He further noted that distributing the membership cards would be straightforward once the Central Executive Committee (CEC) makes a resolution.
Maj. (Rtd) Awich Pollar, the Director for External Affairs standing(centre) at Lango Data Centre
While membership can be verified through the register, Awich emphasized the importance of carrying a mobile card for easy identification during party activities such as meetings, primary elections, and structural elections.
Alfonse Opwonya, the Gulu City Data Centre Supervisor, stated that the process has already made significant progress, with some districts completing their updates. “In our scope of work, we are covering nine districts, and three of them Gulu, Gulu City, and Oyam have been finalized, with their data fully integrated into the system.”
Addressing data security concerns, Opwonya assured that strict protocols are in place to prevent unauthorized access to the system.
“Our data entry personnel operate under strict guidelines and are prohibited from bringing mobile phones or any documents into the data entry area,” he explained.
He also highlighted that the network setup by the IT team restricts access to social media platforms, ensuring that the system is solely used for data entry purposes.
Patrick Obura, the Lango Data Centre Coordinator, described the NRM digital database as a groundbreaking development that will significantly advance the party’s internal democracy.
According to Obura, digitizing the NRM register is an unprecedented initiative in Uganda, positioning the ruling party ahead of others. He believes this innovation will address numerous challenges previously encountered during internal elections, particularly the primaries.
“With a credible register, we aspire to conduct efficient internal elections and solidify our standing in national elections. This milestone is historic, and we are honored to contribute to its success,” Obura said, expressing gratitude to Party Chairman President Yoweri Museveni and the senior management of the NRM Secretariat.