BABIRYE M. BABALANDA: NRM’s sweeping win in LC1 Elections proved Ugandans’ Trust in President Museveni

What the report says

Ugandan minister Babirye Milly Babalanda argues in a Watchdog Uganda opinion piece that the National Resistance Movement’s strong showing in the recent Women Council and Local Council I (LC1) elections reflects continued public confidence in President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the ruling party. The article says the grassroots polls, which used open lining-up voting, offered a visible test of political support and reduced the dispute over whether results were manipulated.

Citing figures attributed to NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, Babalanda says the party won a large share of Women Council seats and a majority of LC1 chairperson positions nationwide, with many candidates elected unopposed. She uses those results to contend that the 2026 presidential vote had broad backing, and she highlights what she describes as strong NRM performance in parts of Buganda, including Greater Mukono and Greater Masaka, as well as in Busoga, Bukedi and Ankole.

The piece also thanks Resident District Commissioners and security officials for helping organize peaceful polling in most areas, while noting an incident of violence at Buwenge Progressive Academy Polling Station that reportedly left two young people dead. Babalanda says the government is preparing for upcoming LC2 elections and calls for better coordination and calm. She also links the elections to broader themes of local governance, security and service delivery.

In the latter part of the article, she says she will continue monitoring the Parish Development Model, a government anti-poverty program, to check how funds are used and whether beneficiaries are properly guided. More broadly, the commentary frames local elections as both a measure of political support and a sign of public interest in development programs.