Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement has intensified preparations for the upcoming Local Council and Women Council elections by deploying nationwide mobilisation teams and confirming that the party has identified candidates for every village across the country.
Speaking at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala, Secretary General Richard Todwong said the party had completed key stages of its electoral roadmap, including the election of LC1 flag bearers in May 2025 and village barazas held on July 10 to fill vacancies created after some candidates withdrew, relocated or died.
He said parish registrars endorsed nomination papers between July 11 and 14, while the official nomination exercise is continuing through July 19.
Todwong said the party has successfully fielded candidates for all LC1 chairperson and Women Council positions nationwide.
He described the grassroots elections as an important part of strengthening local leadership, arguing that village and parish leaders play a central role in implementing government development programmes.
According to Todwong, the elections are particularly significant because LC2 chairpersons also serve as heads of Parish Development Committees, making them key players in overseeing the implementation of the Parish Development Model, the government’s flagship programme aimed at improving household incomes.
He urged party members to support leaders who can effectively work with government institutions to expand participation in the programme and improve service delivery at the community level.
Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko said the party has established coordination teams made up of officials from the NRM Secretariat and other party cadres. The teams will operate as sub-regional coordinators under the supervision of members of the Central Executive Committee.
She said the mobilisation exercise will begin with meetings bringing together district chairpersons, administrative secretaries, registrars and Members of Parliament to coordinate campaign activities and communicate the party’s electoral roadmap.
The programme will then move to sub-counties before reaching villages, where party officials will engage local leaders, flag bearers and supporters.
As part of the final mobilisation effort, the NRM plans to hold village barazas nationwide on July 22 to campaign for its candidates, encourage unity within party structures and rally support before voting begins.
National Treasurer Barbara Oundo Nekesa said the party’s Central Executive Committee had approved financial support to facilitate grassroots campaigns, although she described the resources as modest.
She added that mobilisation teams would remain active across the country until the Local Council and Women Council electoral process is completed.
NRM Director for Mobilisation Rosemary Sseninde said the campaign strategy has been organised around meetings at sub-regional, sub-county and village levels to ensure consistent messaging and close coordination throughout the exercise.
The expanded mobilisation campaign reflects the importance the ruling party places on grassroots leadership, with local councils expected to remain central to community governance and the implementation of government programmes across Uganda.
