KAMPALA, Uganda — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has unveiled a detailed roadmap for selecting and endorsing its candidates ahead of the forthcoming Village Women Council and Local Council I (LC1) elections, as the ruling party seeks to strengthen its grassroots structures across the country.
Addressing journalists at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala on Tuesday, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong outlined the party’s preparations, which have been aligned with the Electoral Commission’s election timetable.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled elections for the five member Village Women Committees on July 23, 2026, while elections for Village (LC1) Chairpersons will take place on July 28.
The party’s preparations coincide with the ongoing voter register verification and residence confirmation exercise, which runs from July 6 to July 10. The Electoral Commission is using separate registers for the two elections: one comprising all residents aged 18 years and above for the LC1 polls, and another limited to women of voting age for the Village Women Council elections.
As part of its internal preparations, the NRM Electoral Commission will convene village barazas nationwide on July 10 to review leadership structures and fill any existing gaps. The meetings will identify Women Council representatives and confirm LC1 flag bearers where necessary, particularly in areas affected by vacancies resulting from deaths, relocation of leaders or changes in political allegiance.
The exercise comes despite the party maintaining established structures in the overwhelming majority of Uganda’s estimated 72,000 villages.
Following the village assemblies, the party will formally endorse its candidates between July 11 and July 14. Nomination forms must be authenticated by authorised party officials, including parish, sub county and district chairpersons, as well as other officials designated by the Secretary General, before candidates proceed to the Electoral Commission for nomination.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the official nomination exercise from July 15 to July 19 at sub county headquarters across the country. The NRM has clarified that no nomination fees will be charged to aspiring candidates.
Ahead of polling day, the party will hold another round of mobilisation barazas on July 22 to rally support for its flag bearers.
Todwong reminded party members that candidates must be Ugandan citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of the villages they intend to represent, registered on the relevant voters register and in possession of valid National Identity Cards.
He also cautioned members against contesting as independent candidates after losing the party endorsement process, warning that such actions violate the NRM constitution and could attract disciplinary action.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as the NRM National Chairman, is expected to issue a message highlighting the significance of the grassroots elections. Party leaders say the structured village to national organisational network places the NRM in a strong position ahead of the polls.
