NRM Dominates Village Women’s Council Polls as Nationwide Elections Get Underway

Village-level Women’s Council elections held across Uganda on Thursday, July 23, 2026, have given the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) an early edge, with widespread unopposed victories and strong performances in many areas, while opposition parties secured scattered wins.

The polls, supervised by the Electoral Commission, proceeded largely peacefully and mark the first stage of a structured national process to elect women’s leaders from the grassroots upward.

Party Performance at Village Level

Early results and reports show clear trends:

NRM recorded dominant performances, sweeping multiple positions in strongholds such as Kasese Municipality (e.g., Teddy Itungo Nyamusimba winning decisively in Kirembe Cell) and registering high numbers of unopposed candidates in districts including Kayunga.

National Unity Platform (NUP) posted notable victories in opposition-leaning areas, including Florence Nakyeyune Lubega’s win over an NRM candidate in Kiwanga-Lwanda Village, Mukono District (205 votes to 104).

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and smaller parties showed limited impact, with occasional competitive showings but fewer victories.

The NRM’s grassroots mobilisation appears to have paid off, while opposition gains remain localised.

Election Roadmap

The staggered electoral process continues as follows:

Village/Cell Level: July 23, 2026 (completed today)

Parish/Ward Elections: August 7, 2026

District/City Elections: August 28, 2026

National Level: To follow after district results

The Uganda National Women’s Council, established under the 1993 Act, organises women for national development and handles advocacy for rights, capacity building, peace, and economic opportunities. These elections will shape leadership that influences policy and community programmes nationwide.

Officials have commended the high turnout among women in several regions. As results from today feed into higher levels, the process is expected to intensify competition and further reveal the balance of political influence in women’s structures.

The polls form a vital part of Uganda’s local governance framework, aimed at boosting women’s participation in decision-making and supporting grassroots development. Full national outcomes will emerge in the coming weeks.