The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has rolled out a nationwide verification exercise for all its LC1 chairperson flag bearers as the party intensifies preparations for the upcoming village-level elections. The exercise is aimed at confirming the status of candidates who secured the party ticket during the internal elections and addressing vacancies left by those who have since passed away.Speaking at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters, the Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi announced that the verification process will be conducted through village-based NRM Barazas across the country.
The meetings are expected to bring together party members to validate candidates and ensure the party enters the elections with an updated list of representatives.According to Dr. Odoi, the exercise is necessary because a significant period has passed since the party conducted its LC1 flag bearer elections in May 2025. During that time, changes have occurred in some areas, making it important for the party to confirm that all candidates remain available, eligible, and willing to contest under the NRM banner.The verification campaign will cover more than 72,000 villages nationwide, making it one of the largest internal party mobilization activities in recent years.
Through the Barazas, local party members will be given an opportunity to confirm their candidates and identify any positions that require replacements before the official elections take place.Where a flag bearer has died, the NRM leadership wants communities to first attempt to agree on a suitable replacement through consensus. Party officials believe this approach will help maintain unity and avoid unnecessary internal competition. However, where consensus proves impossible, fresh elections will be conducted to determine a new flag bearer.The move comes after Uganda’s Electoral Commission confirmed that LC1 elections will be held on July 28, 2026.
The announcement effectively triggered the ruling party’s efforts to ensure that all its candidates are properly verified and ready to participate in the highly anticipated grassroots polls.Dr. Odoi further revealed that once the verification process is completed, the names of all confirmed candidates will be forwarded to the NRM Secretary General for final approval. This step is intended to guarantee that only duly verified and endorsed candidates carry the party flag during the elections.
To facilitate the nationwide exercise, the NRM Electoral Commission has committed approximately UGX 5 billion and deployed teams of party officials across the country. The party says the operation will strengthen its grassroots structures and ensure that every village goes into the elections with a verified, legitimate, and fully endorsed NRM candidate.
