The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to guide its members through the forthcoming Village Women Council and Local Council I (LC1) elections, calling for discipline, unity and full participation in what it described as a critical grassroots democratic exercise.
Addressing a press conference at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala on Tuesday, Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong said the party had aligned its activities with the Electoral Commission’s programme to ensure all structures are fully prepared for the elections scheduled later this month.
According to Todwong, Ugandans will elect the five members of the Village Women Committee on July 23, 2026, and then elect Village (LC1) Chairpersons on July 28, 2026.
He urged 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.
Todwong explained that the Women’s Council elections and the LC1 elections will use separate registers.
“The register for the LC1 elections will include all eligible residents of the village aged 18 years and above, while the Women’s Council register will only comprise women aged 18 years and above,” he said.
To strengthen the party’s grassroots structures, the NRM Electoral Commission will convene village barazas on July 10 across the country to fill vacancies among party flag bearers and elect candidates for the five Village Women Committee positions where gaps exist.
He urged all NRM members to attend the village assemblies, describing them as essential in ensuring the party fields candidates in every village.
Following the barazas, the party will endorse all NRM flag bearers between July 11 and July 14.
Todwong stressed that every aspiring NRM candidate must obtain the party’s official endorsement before presenting 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.
He added that endorsements will be conducted by authorised party leaders, including parish chairpersons, sub-county chairpersons, district chairpersons and the Secretary General.
Official nominations by the Electoral Commission will take place between July 15 and July 19 at sub-county headquarters.
The Secretary General also announced that the party’s Directorate of Mobilisation will hold another round of village mobilisation barazas on July 22 to rally support for NRM candidates ahead of polling.
He noted that the mobilisation meetings are separate from the July 10 village assemblies organised by the party’s Electoral Commission.
Todwong said the NRM already has flag bearers in the overwhelming majority of Uganda’s more than 72,000 villages, with the current exercise aimed at filling vacancies created by relocation, death or members leaving the party.
He warned party members against contesting as independents after failing to secure the party flag.
“The NRM does not support independent candidates who stand against officially endorsed party flag bearers. Those who choose to do so will be acting contrary to the party constitution and will face disciplinary action,” he warned.
Todwong further reminded aspiring candidates that anyone seeking election to either the Village Women Committee or the LC1 Chairperson position must be a Ugandan citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the village where they intend to contest, appear on the Electoral Commission’s village register and possess a valid National Identity Card.
He emphasised that the Electoral Commission does not charge nomination fees for either election.
Todwong said President and NRM National Chairman , President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will issue a message to party members highlighting the significance of the grassroots elections, while the Secretariat will continue providing guidance throughout the electoral process.
He expressed confidence that the party’s nationwide structures were fully prepared 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,” Todwong said. The press conference was also attended by members of the Top Management.
