The recently concluded Women Council and Local Council I (LC1) elections have delivered a message that cannot be ignored. Beyond electing grassroots leaders, they have provided perhaps the clearest and most transparent measure of the political mood of ordinary Ugandans. Their verdict is that the overwhelming majority of Ugandans continue to place their trust in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and in the leadership vision of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Unlike the General Elections, where voting is conducted through secret ballots, these grassroots elections employed the traditional African democratic method of lining behind the candidate of one’s choice. Every vote was cast openly, counted immediately in the presence of voters and candidates alike, and declared instantly at the polling station.
There was no room for allegations of ballot stuffing, hidden tallying centres or manipulation of results. Every citizen witnessed the process from beginning to end. This level of transparency now permanently erases the perennial excuse that has always been advanced by sections of the opposition whenever they suffer electoral defeat — that elections are rigged.
The reality demonstrated by these elections is much simpler: Ugandans continue to vote overwhelmingly for leaders and a political movement that they believe has transformed their lives and offers the most credible path towards prosperity.
The figures speak for themselves
According to the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM secured an extraordinary 326,248 positions in the Women Council Committee elections, representing 91.6 percent of all available positions. Independent candidates won 20,819 positions (5.8 percent), while all other political parties combined managed only 8,748 positions, representing just 2.5 percent.
Even more remarkable is the fact that 119,341 NRM candidates—equivalent to 33.6 percent of all NRM victories—were elected unopposed. Such victories cannot be manufactured. They represent communities reaching consensus even before polling day that the NRM candidates were the most suitable people to serve them.
Additionally, provisional results from the LC1 elections showed that NRM flag bearers won 51,093 out of 71,214 LC1 Chairperson positions, accounting for 71.7 percent of all villages nationwide. Independent candidates, many of whom are known to be NRM-leaning, secured 13,861 villages (19.5 percent), while all other political parties combined managed only 3,971 villages, representing 5.6 percent.
These results strongly vindicate President Museveni’s 71.25% victory in the January 2026 General Elections. If Ugandans were willing to publicly line behind NRM candidates in overwhelming numbers under the full view of their neighbours, then claims that the President’s earlier victory lacked popular support lose considerable credibility.
Buganda for President Museveni
Perhaps the biggest political lesson emerging from these elections is the performance of the NRM in Buganda, particularly within the Kampala Metropolitan area. For years, critics have insisted that the ruling party had completely lost Buganda to the opposition. The LC1 elections have challenged that narrative.
In Greater Mukono alone, the NRM won 970 village chairperson positions compared to only 217 won by the combined opposition, while NRM-leaning independents secured another 379 villages.
The picture was even clearer in Greater Masaka, often described as the strongest opposition NUP stronghold. Here, the NRM won 1,954 LC1 chairperson positions against only 360 for all opposition parties combined, while independents won 575 villages. Across Busoga, Bukedi and Ankole, the NRM registered sweeping victories, reaffirming the confidence that citizens continue to place in the party’s leadership.
These are not isolated statistics. They are evidence that Ugandans continue to embrace the development philosophy championed by President Museveni—a philosophy centred on peace, security, wealth creation, infrastructure development and the long-term goal of transforming Uganda into a modern, middle-income economy. The success of these elections also deserves commendation from another important perspective: security.
Good Job, RDCs
As Minister for the Presidency, I wish to sincerely thank all Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Deputy RDCs, Assistant RDCs, Resident City Commissioners (RCCs) and their deputies for implementing our guidance to mobilise citizens, coordinate security agencies and ensure peaceful elections across the country.
The elections were conducted successfully in the overwhelming majority of polling stations.
Although isolated incidents occurred, including the unfortunate violence at Buwenge Progressive Academy Polling Station in Kabi Zone that claimed the lives of two young Ugandans, these incidents remained the exception rather than the norm.
I commend President Museveni for his swift display of compassion by contributing Shs10 million to each bereaved family, while appreciating the Inspector General of Police for extending an additional Shs5 million to each family. Such gestures remind us that every Ugandan life matters.
LC2 elections; the work ahead
As we prepare for the forthcoming LCII elections, I encourage all RDCs, security committees and local leaders to intensify mobilisation, strengthen coordination and ensure that the next electoral exercise becomes even more peaceful, orderly and inclusive.
Peace remains the foundation upon which democracy and development flourish.
I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to all Ugandans who turned up peacefully to exercise their democratic rights. In particular, I thank the people of Busoga and my home district of Buyende for their impressive voter turnout and commitment to strengthening local governance.
The LC1 Chairperson is the first point of contact between Government and the ordinary citizen. This office plays a vital role in maintaining security, resolving community disputes, identifying beneficiaries of government programmes and ensuring effective service delivery. Electing capable and trustworthy LC leaders is therefore an investment in better governance and faster socio-economic transformation.
Now that the elections are behind us, our attention must quickly return to the central mission of improving household incomes.
PDM tours to continue
As I conclude, I am pleased to inform the public that I will resume my nationwide monitoring programme for the Parish Development Model (PDM), which commenced last week in Buyende District. The monitoring exercise focuses on ensuring that enterprise selection is properly undertaken, PDM funds are used for their intended purposes and beneficiaries are supported to establish sustainable enterprises that can lift households out of poverty.
I was encouraged by what I witnessed in Nkondo Sub-county. The Parish Development Model implementation teams have faithfully complied with President Museveni’s directive by safeguarding PDM funds while completing proper enterprise selection and providing beneficiaries with the necessary guidance before disbursement. This demonstrates prudent stewardship and reduces the risk of misallocation.
I was particularly impressed by the progress demonstrated by sampled beneficiaries, including Florence Nangobi, Rose Alupo, Richard Oreny and Badiru Kaboggoza of Iringa Parish. Their commitment to investing productively in the enterprises supported under the programme illustrates the transformative potential of the PDM when implemented with integrity, proper guidance and active community participation.
The monitoring exercise will continue across the country because every shilling invested under the PDM must translate into improved household incomes, greater productivity and sustainable wealth creation.
The message from the recent elections is therefore broader than politics alone. Ugandans have expressed confidence not only in the NRM but also in the government’s development agenda. The responsibility now rests upon all leaders—from LC1 Chairpersons to Cabinet Ministers—to honour that trust through honest service, accountability and tangible improvements in the lives of our people.
Together, let us safeguard the peace we enjoy, strengthen our local governance structures and continue working with President Museveni to realise Uganda’s vision of a prosperous and middle-income nation.
The author is the Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West MP
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