NRM sweeps 80 of 97 parish seats in Mukono

What the report says

The Observer reported that Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) won 80 of 97 parish chairperson seats in Mukono district, in elections that were held under tight security and were described as largely orderly. Mukono district returning officer George William Eliau said no petitions were filed after results were announced. The NRM was followed by independents with 11 seats, while the National Unity Platform (NUP) won five and the Democratic Party (DP) two.

The article said the outcome reflected a broader pattern of NRM strength in recent local polls. In the women’s councils and committees elections held the previous Sunday, the party also performed strongly, taking 92 of 97 women’s chairperson positions and 452 of 485 committee posts across the different offices.

The report highlighted a few individual contests, including NRM wins in Namumira, Nantabulirwa and Ntawo parishes. Some victors said they would focus on monitoring government programs, improving services and promoting anti-corruption efforts, while local leaders urged them to set aside political differences and work on community development.

The Observer also noted complaints from some defeated candidates, who alleged that voters in certain areas were given money to influence the outcome. Those claims were not independently verified in the article, but they could add to debate over the competitiveness of local elections and the role of patronage in parish-level politics.