NRM to field candidates in all 71,214 villages for LC1 elections, says Todwong
Todwong said the party had completed the selection of its LC1 flag bearers and finalised the identification of candidates for the Women's Council elections.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong speaks during an exclusive interview with New Vision at his home in Nwoya District on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Nyek
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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will field candidates for the LC1 chairperson and LC1 Women's Council elections in all of Uganda's 71,214 villages ahead of this month's local council polls, the party's secretary general, Richard Todwong, has said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Vision at his home in Nwoya district on July 12, 2026, Todwong said the party had completed the selection of its LC1 flag bearers and finalised the identification of candidates for the Women's Council elections.
According to Todwong, the NRM conducted a nationwide village validation exercise on July 10 to confirm that its previously elected LC1 flag bearers were still resident in their respective villages and remained willing to represent the party.
The exercise also identified Women's Council representatives and filled vacancies left by former flag bearers.
He said some previously selected candidates had lost interest in politics, while others had died or relocated, creating gaps in the party's village structures.
"The validation exercise enabled us to close all the gaps. We now have candidates in every village across the country," Todwong said.
Todwong revealed that the NRM plans to spend between sh5b and sh6b to facilitate its LC1 candidates and polling agents across all 71,214 villages during the elections.
He said the party is endorsing its official candidates and issuing them with NRM declaration forms bearing official party stamps at sub-county level before submitting their names to the Electoral Commission.
He emphasised that the LC1 office remains the foundation of local leadership, noting that it evolved from the Resistance Council system established by the National Resistance Army before becoming the current Local Council structure.
Todwong said LC1 leaders play a critical role in resolving community disputes and addressing day-to-day issues affecting residents.
Confident in opposition strongholds
Despite acknowledging strong opposition support in Buganda and Lango, Todwong expressed confidence that the NRM would perform well across the country.
In Buganda, where the National Unity Platform (NUP) commands significant support, he argued that the party's recent victory in the Kalangala district byelection showed the NRM was steadily regaining ground.
Regarding Lango, traditionally regarded as a stronghold of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), Todwong said the NRM had significantly weakened the opposition party's influence.
"We have largely neutralised the UPC. What remains is only a small presence in a few parts of Lango," he said.
Elections scheduled
Under Electoral Commission guidelines, LC1 elections will be conducted using the queue voting system at village polling stations across the country.
The Electoral Commission concluded the village-level voter registration exercise on July 10, during which eligible voters were required to register in the village where they intended to vote.
Those who failed to register will not be eligible to participate in the elections.
Opposition cites financial constraints
While the NRM says it is prepared to field candidates in every village, several opposition parties have acknowledged that financial constraints will prevent them from doing the same.
In Kitgum district, Democratic Party chairperson Peter Opoka Opiak said the party expects to field candidates in fewer than 2% of the district's villages.
He said the DP relies largely on donations and revenue from the sale of party nomination tickets, and poor ticket sales had left the party unable to adequately facilitate candidates.
Meanwhile, Forum for Democratic Change chairperson for Amuru district and MP Gilbert Olanya said the party would front its village chairpersons as candidates wherever possible.
In villages without FDC chairpersons, Olanya said the party would support respected community members, even if they are not FDC members.