Ambassador Nekesa leads movement to win NRM party LC1 elections

Ambassador Nekesa leads movement to win NRM party LC1 elections

By Brian Mugenyi

mugenyijj@gmail.com

BUKEDI SUB-REGION, UGANDA — The name Barbara Nekesa Oundo needs no introduction in Bukedi Sub region and National Resistance Movement party.

As approximately 45 million Ugandans prepare to participate in grassroots elections, National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo has rallied NRM leaders and supporters in Bukedi Sub-region to strengthen village structures by electing leaders committed to accountability, transparency and service to communities in the forthcoming Local Council I (LC I) elections.

The elections represent one of Uganda’s widest democratic exercises, with the Electoral Commission preparing for LC I leadership elections across 71,214 villages, covering 10,717 parishes and 2,191 sub-counties, towns and municipal divisions. The Commission’s voter statistics indicate that Uganda has 21,681,491 registered voters for the 2025/2026 electoral cycle.

Nekesa’s mobilisation message comes ahead of the Women Council and LC I elections, where communities will choose leaders at the village level. As the NRM National Treasurer, she has encouraged NRM leaders and supporters across Bukedi to actively participate in the elections and elect leaders who understand their responsibilities, promote accountability and remain committed to serving citizens.

Nekesa said strong village leadership is critical because LC I chairpersons remain the closest link between citizens and government programmes, public services and local administration.

During mobilisation engagements in Bukedi, Ambassador Nekesa appreciated residents for participating in the 2026 General Election and supporting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM National Chairman.

She urged citizens to participate in the Women Council elections on July 23 and the LC I elections on July 28, saying grassroots elections provide communities with an opportunity to choose leaders who understand their challenges and are committed to serving them.

“I thank all the leaders and people of Bukedi for voting for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. As we prepare for the forthcoming elections, I urge you to choose leaders who are committed, transparent and devoted to serving their communities,” Nekesa said.

She said effective village leaders should listen to citizens, promote accountability and work closely with communities to ensure government initiatives reach intended beneficiaries.

Electoral Commission: The Village Vote at the Heart of Democracy

Electoral Commission Chairperson Mr. Simon Byabakama Mugenyi has emphasised the importance of citizen participation in LC I elections, describing grassroots leadership as a foundation of Uganda’s democratic system.

The Electoral Commission conducted verification of residents and compilation of Village LC I Registers in all 71,214 villages across Uganda, preparing communities for the election of village leaders.

Byabakama has encouraged Ugandans to actively participate in grassroots elections, noting that village leadership structures allow citizens to choose representatives who directly understand and respond to community concerns.

He has emphasised that democracy is strengthened when citizens participate in selecting leaders at every level of governance.

Ben Kumumanya: LC I Elections Strengthen Decentralisation

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, has emphasised the importance of voting LC I chairpersons, saying grassroots leadership strengthens decentralisation by bringing government closer to ordinary citizens.

Kumumanya explained that decentralisation enables communities to participate in decision-making processes and ensures that the government remains responsive to the needs of citizens.

“Decentralisation is about bringing government closer to the people and ensuring citizens participate in decisions that affect their lives,” Kumumanya emphasised.

He said Uganda’s decentralisation system is rooted in the 1995 Constitution, which provides for the transfer of functions, powers and responsibilities from central government to local government units.

Article 176 of the Constitution provides principles of decentralisation, including empowering local governments and promoting democratic participation in decision-making.

The First Face of Government

For many Ugandan households, the LC I chairperson is often the first leader residents approach when they need information, guidance or assistance regarding government programmes.

Mr. Moses Mangeni, Busia District Communication Officer, said LC I leaders remain a vital bridge between communities and government institutions.

“When my child falls sick or when we need information about government programmes, the first person we look for is our LC I chairperson,” said Mr. Moses Mangeni, Busia District Communication Officer.

Mangeni explained that village leaders help communities communicate challenges, access information and understand government initiatives.

Mr. Mangeni a resident from Busia said effective LC I leadership has transformed how communities engage government authorities.

“For years, residents of [village name] struggled to access information about government programmes until their LC I chairperson helped connect them with local authorities,” said he said.

The role of grassroots leadership is also reflected in infrastructure development, where village leaders help communities communicate priorities to technical officers.

According to Mr. Musa Musanya Busia District Roads Engineer, cooperation between LC I leaders, residents and technical teams helps identify road challenges and improve connectivity.

“I am grateful that we got 1 billion under the Roads Grant to rehabilitate roads from the government but such accountability needs LC 1 chairman leaders and follow up to develop the area,” he said during a recent interview with the writer.

Bukedi’s Leadership Moment

For the Bukedi Sub-region, the forthcoming elections represent an opportunity for citizens to determine the quality of leadership that will shape their daily interaction with the government.

From communicating citizens’ concerns to supporting development initiatives, LC I leaders remain central to Uganda’s governance framework.

As Uganda continues strengthening decentralisation, the village vote represents more than an election; it is a decision by millions of citizens on who will carry their voices to government.

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