More than 800 LC I chairpersons unopposed in Greater Masaka, Greater Luwero

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reported that more than 800 Local Council I chairperson candidates in the Greater Masaka and Greater Luwero sub-regions were due to take office without a contest as Uganda held nationwide village elections on July 28, 2026. The Electoral Commission’s programme set voter verification for the morning, followed by voting from 11:00 a.m. and declaration of results before midday. Candidates already declared unopposed were not expected to participate in polling.

In Greater Masaka, which includes nine districts and Masaka City, the report said more than 500 candidates were unopposed. Rakai District had 121, Lyantonde at least 85, and Masaka City 31, while other districts each recorded between 50 and 80. In Greater Luwero, Nakaseke had at least 110 unopposed candidates, Nakasongola 85, and Luwero 80. The Independent reported that the unopposed candidates in those three Greater Luwero districts were all from the ruling National Resistance Movement.

NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko said the party had fielded candidates in all 71,214 villages and argued that opposition parties had not matched its national reach. She also described LC I leadership as important for local service delivery.

Opposition figures challenged that interpretation. Luwero District Chairperson Erastus Kibirango alleged intimidation and fear had discouraged some candidates, while Ronald Kasekende of Nyendo-Mukungwe in Masaka City alleged voter register manipulation had affected opposition nominations. The report also noted that the National Unity Platform secured three unopposed LC I seats in Nyendo-Mukungwe after NRM candidates were struck off for not resigning from public office before nomination.