The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, popularly known as Chief Muzzukulu, has called on Ugandans, especially the youth, to turn up in large numbers and peacefully participate in the Local Council I (LC1) elections scheduled for July 28, 2026.
Speaking at the ONC headquarters in Kyambogo, Namyalo encouraged voters to elect NRM leaders who are committed to development, accountability, unity and effective service delivery within their communities.
She described the LC1 Chairperson as the “president of the village,” noting that village leaders play an important role in connecting communities to government and ensuring that residents benefit from national development programmes.
Namyalo said LC1 leaders are responsible for mobilising communities, addressing local concerns, supporting security efforts and coordinating the implementation of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
She therefore urged voters to carefully consider the people they elect, saying the decisions made at the polls will determine the quality of leadership in their communities for the next five years.
Namyalo also encouraged voters to report to their respective polling stations early to avoid missing the opportunity to participate in the elections.
She noted that some voters were unable to participate in the recent Women Council elections because of the limited voting time and advised the public not to wait until the last minute.
The ONC Manager also warned against intimidation and attempts to impose candidates on communities, stressing that voters must be allowed to freely choose their preferred leaders.
She called on candidates and their supporters to maintain peace and respect the electoral process.
Namyalo revealed that ONC district and regional coordinators have been deployed across the country to mobilise citizens to participate in the elections and monitor the performance of NRM candidates.
She clarified that the coordinators are not deployed to interfere with the work of the Electoral Commission or influence the voting process.
Chief Muzzukulu concluded by calling on Ugandans to vote wisely and choose leaders who understand the needs of their communities and are prepared to serve the people effectively.
She said strong and responsible leadership at village level remains important in bringing government services closer to the people and supporting the country’s wider development agenda.