Uganda: Vote Wisely, Reject Land Grabbers - Hajjat Namyalo Calls for Peaceful, Credible LC1 Elections

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a report from The New Light Paper in Kampala, reported that Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, manager of Uganda’s Office of the National Chairman and commonly known as Chief Muzzukulu, urged citizens to take part in Local Council I elections scheduled for July 28, 2026. Speaking at the ONC headquarters in Kyambogo on July 27, she particularly appealed to young people to vote peacefully and support National Resistance Movement candidates she said would promote development, unity, accountability and better service delivery.

Namyalo described the LC1 chairperson as the main authority at village level and said the position is important for coordinating government programmes and channeling local concerns to higher authorities. She asked voters to avoid candidates associated with land grabbing or criminal activity, and said effective village leaders should help advance initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, monitor public services and raise issues such as medicine shortages in health facilities.

The report said Namyalo also criticised aspects of the recently concluded Women Council elections, saying voting had ended very early in some villages, reportedly between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., leaving some eligible voters unable to participate. She advised those planning to vote in the LC1 polls to arrive by 7:00 a.m. and remain orderly.

Namyalo further warned senior NRM figures against imposing candidates or intimidating voters, saying citizens should be allowed to choose freely. She said ONC district and regional coordinators had been deployed to encourage turnout and observe NRM candidate performance, but not to run or interfere with the Electoral Commission’s work. The elections matter because LC1 leaders shape village-level administration and delivery of government programmes.