The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has unveiled a detailed roadmap for its members ahead of the forthcoming Village Women Council and Local Council I (LC1) elections, urging discipline, unity and active participation while warning members against contesting as independent candidates.
Addressing a press conference at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala on Tuesday, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong said the party had aligned its activities with the Electoral Commission’s electoral programme to ensure all party structures are fully prepared for the grassroots polls scheduled later this month.
Todwong said Ugandans will elect the five members of the Village Women Committees on July 23, 2026, followed by elections for Village (LC1) Chairpersons on July 28, 2026.
He called on all eligible party members to participate in the ongoing verification of residence and compilation of village voters’ registers being conducted by the Electoral Commission from July 6 to July 10, noting that separate registers will be used for the two elections.
“The register for the LC1 elections will include all eligible village residents aged 18 years and above, while the Women’s Council register will only comprise women aged 18 years and above,” Todwong explained.
As part of preparations, the NRM Electoral Commission will hold village barazas across the country on July 10 to fill vacancies among party flag bearers and elect candidates for the five Village Women Committee positions where gaps exist.
Todwong urged all NRM members to attend the village assemblies, saying they are crucial in ensuring the party fields candidates in every village.
He said the party will endorse all NRM flag bearers between July 11 and July 14, stressing that every aspiring candidate must obtain the party’s official endorsement before submitting nomination papers to the Electoral Commission.
“Endorsement means your nomination forms must bear the official NRM stamp before you proceed for nomination by the Electoral Commission,” he said.
According to Todwong, endorsements will be conducted by authorised party leaders, including parish, sub-county and district chairpersons, as well as the Secretary General.
The Electoral Commission will conduct official nominations from July 15 to July 19 at sub-county headquarters.
Todwong also announced that the party’s Directorate of Mobilisation will organise another round of village mobilisation barazas on July 22 to rally support for NRM candidates ahead of polling day.
He clarified that these mobilisation meetings are separate from the July 10 village assemblies organised by the party’s Electoral Commission.
The Secretary General said the NRM already has flag bearers in the vast majority of Uganda’s more than 72,000 villages, with the current exercise intended to fill vacancies arising from relocation, death or members leaving the party.
He cautioned party members against standing as independent candidates after failing to secure the party flag, saying such actions violate the NRM constitution.
“The NRM does not support independent candidates who stand against officially endorsed party flag bearers. Those who choose to do so will be face disciplinary action,” Todwong warned.
He also reminded aspiring candidates that anyone seeking election to either the Village Women Committee or the LC1 Chairperson position must be a Ugandan citizen aged at least 18 years, reside in the village where they intend to contest, appear on the Electoral Commission’s village register and possess a valid National Identity Card.
Todwong emphasised that the Electoral Commission does not charge nomination fees for either election.
He further revealed that President and NRM National Chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will issue a message to party members on the importance of the grassroots elections, while the Secretariat will continue guiding members throughout the electoral process.
Expressing confidence in the party’s preparedness, Todwong said the NRM’s nationwide structures were ready for the exercise.
“The NRM is organised from the village upwards. We are ready for these elections, and we are confident of victory as we continue strengthening our grassroots leadership,” he said.
