UPC starts identifying LC, women council election flag-bearers

KAMPALA - Following the pronouncement by the Ministry of Local Government that Cabinet approved the conduct of the long-awaited Local Council I, Local Council II and Women Council elections, the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party has begun identifying flag-bearers to participate in the polls.

Uganda is expected to hold elections for LC I and LC II across approximately 70,512 villages and 10,690 parishes.

Addressing a weekly press conference at the party headquarters, Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday (March 4), the party secretary general, Fred Ebil, disclosed that the process of identifying UPC flag-bearers had commenced nationwide.

“This move is part of the party's preparations to constitute the new five-year elective term of government ending 2031, where UPC is aiming to strengthen our presence in local government structures,” Ebil said in an internal party circular letter.

However, Ebil noted that the exercise should be completed by March 6, 2026, as the party awaits the specific roadmap from the Electoral Commission.

“You are highly encouraged to consider using the consensus method while selecting party flag bearers," Ebil directed in the letter addressed to all party regional vice chairpersons, district and city chairpersons, constituency, subcounty, parish and branch chairpersons countrywide.

He added that where consensus fails completely, the branch chairperson of the respective area should convene a branch general meeting to determine and produce the party flag-bearer for the local council elections, in line with Article 7.2 (2) of the UPC Constitution 2008 as amended.

“In case the branch chairperson is one of the aspiring candidates, he or she should step aside, and the vice chairperson of the branch should take over to manage the process for only the purposes of identifying the flag bearer,” Ebil guided.

The term of office for local councils and women councils first expired in July 2023, but local government minister Raphael Magyezi extended it until February 24, 2026, citing a lack of funds by the Electoral Commission to conduct grassroots elections.

“The elective term of office for these offices expired in 2023, but all the elections will be conducted in March and April before the swearing in of the newly elected government in May 2026,” Magyezi said.

In a statement read by the party spokesperson, Sharon Arach Oyat, UPC confirmed that it has begun vetting potential candidates for various positions, including LC I and LC II chairpersons and Women Council representatives.

The exercise signals mounting pressure within UPC and other opposition parties as aspirants seek to secure their political futures in a grassroots system widely viewed as dominated by the ruling National Resistance Movement government, which has been in power for 40 years.

The women council elections are particularly significant as they provide opportunities for women to participate in local politics. UPC leaders, including Oyat, have emphasised the need to strengthen women’s representation.

As UPC identifies its flag-bearers, the party is expected to face stiff competition from other parties, including the National Resistance Movement. The outcome of these elections will be crucial in shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Local councils in Uganda are the lowest-level, community-elected administrative units responsible for local governance, security and dispute resolution at the village level. Elected for five-year terms, LC I officials mediate petty disputes, handle customary land matters and issue recommendation letters.