NRM Rallies West Nile Ahead of LC1, Women Council Elections.
Group Photo with the NRM leaders at the secretariat, members of Parliament and local leaders
For many people, the Local Council One (LC1) chairperson is the first leader they turn to when they need help. Whether it is resolving a land dispute, writing a recommendation letter, identifying beneficiaries for a government programme or mobilising the community for public health campaigns, the village chairperson is often the closest link between the people and government.
According to Uganda Electoral Commission, the country has 71,214 villages, and the government has secured UGX 56 billion for the Local Council (LC) and Women Council elections
With that in mind, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has urged residents across West Nile to take the upcoming LC1 and Women Council elections seriously, saying the leaders elected at the village level will have a direct impact on service delivery in their communities.
The call was made on Sunday during a regional mobilization meeting in Arua City attended by Members of Parliament, district and city leaders, and other senior NRM officials ahead of the Women Council elections on 23 July and the LC1 elections on 28 July.
Speaking at the meeting, the NRM Director of Finance, planning and Administration, Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale, said the party is confident of performing well in West Nile, citing the strong support President Yoweri Museveni received in the region during the last general election.
She said many NRM candidates have been nominated to contest for village leadership positions and appealed to supporters to rally behind them.
However, Ojale said the elections are about more than party politics. She noted that village leaders are responsible for ensuring that government programmes reach the people and that community concerns are addressed promptly.
“When people elect committed leaders at the village level, government programmes can be implemented more effectively, and services can reach the people who need them most,” she said.
She encouraged voters to choose leaders who are ready to work with the government to improve their communities.
Meanwhile, Arua City Mayor Alionzi Lawrence Dangote said many Ugandans focus more on presidential and parliamentary elections but pay little attention to village elections, yet the work of LC1 chairpersons affects people’s daily lives.
He said LC1 leaders help coordinate development activities, maintain peace within communities and serve as the first point of contact between citizens and government.
“It is not enough to elect leaders at the national level. We also need capable leaders in our villages who can work with the government and help deliver the services people expect,” Dangote said.
However, Hon. Dr. George Didi Bhoka, the former Member of Parliament and NRM Secretary for Finance Obongi District, stressed that some party flag bearers were allegedly deprived of votes during the recently concluded general elections due to irregularities in the voters’ register, including the alleged inclusion of ghost voters and refugees who, by law, are not eligible to participate in Ugandan elections. He appealed for transparency in this LC1 election hoping that the government addresses the possible irregularities prior to the elections.
“Some of our flag bearers were cheated during the recently concluded general elections because of alleged irregularities in the voters’ register, including the inclusion of ghost voters and refugees who, by law, are not eligible to vote in Uganda,” Hon. Dr. George said.
Across many communities in West Nile, residents expect their village leaders to be available whenever problems arise. From handling family disagreements and land conflicts to mobilising people for government programmes, the effectiveness of an LC1 chairperson can make a noticeable difference in everyday life.
The upcoming elections will therefore give voters an opportunity to choose leaders they believe can represent their interests, bring communities together and support local development.
As campaigns draw to a close, the NRM has continued to encourage its supporters to participate in both the Women Council and LC1 elections, saying strong leadership at the grassroots is essential for improving service delivery and ensuring that government programmes reach every village.