NRM targets dominance in Ntungamo as LC1 elections draw near

What the report says

Nile Post reports that the National Resistance Movement has intensified last-stage mobilization in Ntungamo District ahead of Tuesday’s Local Council I elections, seeking a commanding win in village chairperson races. The campaign followed weeks of village-level barazas across Ntungamo’s 1,033 villages and a readiness review at Ntungamo District Council Hall involving NRM sub-county chairpersons and district leaders.

According to the report, party officials said roughly 58 percent of LC1 chairperson seats in the district are already uncontested. The remaining positions are expected to feature NRM flag bearers, independents and candidates from other parties. NRM Commissioner James Tweheyo said the party wants Ntungamo to surpass its previous strong showing for President Yoweri Museveni, after the district reportedly gave him 92.5 percent in the last presidential election and ranked second nationally among NRM-performing districts.

Party leaders linked their confidence to internal reconciliation efforts and recent Women Council Committee elections, where they said NRM candidates won about 90 percent of the available posts. Ntungamo LC5 Chairperson Samuel Rwakigoba said the immediate priority is getting supporters to vote for official party candidates, while district NRM vice chairperson Yona Musinguzi described LC1 leadership as important because village chairpersons are a first point of contact in local service delivery.

Nile Post also reported that grassroots leaders asked for more financial support for mobilization and sought a meeting with President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni to discuss party matters. Ntungamo District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Honest Baguma said the commission was prepared to conduct elections in all 1,033 villages, urging peaceful conduct, compliance with guidelines and early arrival at polling stations.