President Museveni rallies Ugandans to embrace village, parish elections
Museveni said village leadership is essential in the fight against poverty and in promoting prosperity for all by mobilising wananchi to participate in wealth creation initiatives.
His message was delivered by Enoch Barata, the director of legal services and affairs at the NRM Secretariat, during a meeting of Bunyoro regional leaders. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)
BUNYORO - President Yoweri Museveni, the National Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has urged Ugandans to participate in the forthcoming village, parish and women council elections, saying they should elect leaders who will advance the NRM agenda.
The Electoral Commission is set to conduct the village, parish and women council elections. Voting will begin on July 23, 2026, with the women council elections, followed by the LC1 chairperson elections on July 28 and the LC2 chairperson elections on August 10, this year.
The President said the village and parish elections are important because they enable communities to choose leaders who will guide development at the grassroots.
His message was delivered by Enoch Barata, the director of legal services and affairs at the NRM Secretariat, during a meeting of Bunyoro regional leaders.
The meeting, which attracted resident district commissioners, NRM district registrars and administrators, district NRM chairpersons, women league chairpersons and security officials, was organised by the NRM Secretariat to develop strategies to support NRM flag bearers ahead of the elections.
Museveni said village leadership is essential in the fight against poverty and in promoting prosperity for all by mobilising wananchi to participate in wealth creation initiatives.
He added that, beyond wealth creation, village and parish leaders play a key role in monitoring service delivery in line with the NRM Manifesto and the Fourth National Development Plan.
"I call all Ugandans to turn up in big numbers and vote for LC1, LC2 and women council especially NRM flag bearers because these elections are important."
Jonard Asiimwe, the NRM national vice chairperson for Western Uganda and science, technology and innovation minister, condemned attacks on party flag bearers, describing the practice as unpatriotic. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)
Protecting party unity
Jonard Asiimwe, the NRM national vice chairperson for Western Uganda and science, technology and innovation minister, condemned attacks on party flag bearers, describing the practice as unpatriotic.
He said such actions create divisions within the party and weaken its support base.
Asiimwe urged NRM leaders to remain patriotic and mobilise support for the party's flag bearers to ensure victory in the elections.
Caroline Nashemeza, the Kagadi resident district commissioner, said several issues on the ground require intervention from the NRM Secretariat ahead of the elections.
She said divisions within districts, fuelled by senior NRM leaders, remain a major challenge.
According to Nashemeza, some NRM leaders are supporting independent candidates and candidates from other political parties against official NRM flag bearers, a situation she warned could cost the party several seats.
Bunyoro NRM Secretariat coordinator Violet Kabasindi said the party had received reports that land speculators were influencing village elections by financing candidates they support.
She urged regional leaders to take an active role in the elections by guiding voters to elect village leaders who are not compromised.
Kabasindi said the NRM needs village chairpersons with good leadership qualities who can advance the party's agenda.
She added that the number of NRM village chairpersons elected would reflect the President's prospects and those of other party leaders in the January general elections.
She also encouraged more women to participate in the elections to increase female representation in village leadership.