Political
NRM Women Leaders and NRM-Aligned Independents Reclaim Political Ground in Luweero Sub-region as Nakasongola Records 99.6% Victory ONC Coodinator Confirms
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and candidates aligned with the ruling party have demonstrated strong political dominance in the recent Women Council elections, with the results from different areas pointing to a strong grassroots mobilisation ahead of the upcoming LC1 Chairperson elections. The development follows observations by the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Luweero Sub-region Coordinator, Wasswa Abdulkarim Tamale, who supervised the Women Council elections in various parts of the sub-region.According to Tamale, the elections were highly competitive in several areas, but NRM-backed candidates emerged strongly in most of the villages visited. He also observed that a number of independent candidates who won their respective positions were politically aligned with or supportive of the NRM, giving the ruling party and its allies a strong overall performance. The elections were marked by high levels of participation, with women turning up in large numbers and actively taking part in the democratic process. The participants were largely happy and enthusiastic throughout the exercise, which was conducted through lining up behind candidates.The scale of the NRM’s grassroots strength was also reflected in results from neighbouring areas. In Nakasongola District, the NRM reportedly secured 1,798 out of the 1,800 positions contested across the villages, while the NUP won only two positions in Migeera Town Council—one for Chairperson and another for Publicity. This represents approximately 99.9% for the NRM and 0.1% for NUP based on the figures provided.The NRM also reportedly secured 359 Chairperson positions in Nakasongola District, with only two positions going to NUP candidates. In Luweero District Kalagala Sub-county, out of 155 candidates, 139 were affiliated with the NRM, 11 were independents, while NUP had five candidates. The figures further demonstrate the strong presence of the NRM and the significant role played by independent candidates in the elections.The competition, however, remained tight in several areas. The use of lining up behind candidates made the level of support for each contestant immediately visible, creating intense competition and heightened emotions. Candidates and their supporters could directly see the numbers mobilised by their opponents, making every voter crucial to the outcome. Unlike secret-ballot elections, where voters make their choices privately, lining up publicly can generate greater pressure and excitement as supporters closely monitor the process and mobilise until the final moments. In several areas, the margins between candidates were reportedly narrow, making the contests highly competitive.The intensity of the elections was further demonstrated in some areas where defeated candidates were reportedly seen fainting after the declaration of results, highlighting the emotional weight attached to the contests. Despite the tight competition, Tamale called upon candidates and their supporters to maintain peace and avoid fighting because of elections. He urged voters to choose capable, committed and able leaders who can effectively represent their interests and contribute to the development of their communities. He also encouraged all candidates to accept the outcome of the democratic process and maintain unity after the elections.Political analysts believe that the results and the level of mobilisation witnessed during the Women Council elections could provide an important indication of what may happen during the LC1 Chairperson elections scheduled for July 28. According to the analysts, the strong performance of NRM candidates, the significant number of independent candidates who are sympathetic to the ruling party, and the intense grassroots mobilisation witnessed during the Women Council elections could be repeated in the upcoming LC1 elections.With the LC1 elections expected to attract strong competition at village level, the political atmosphere in the region is likely to remain highly charged. However, stakeholders continue to call for peaceful elections, reminding candidates and voters that political competition should be about choosing leaders and not fighting one another.The Women Council elections have therefore provided an early political signal ahead of July 28, with the NRM and its allies appearing to have established a strong grassroots advantage in several areas as Uganda prepares for the next stage of local council elections.
