NRM Holds LCII Primaries Friday as Tanga Odoi Unveils Next Phase of Grassroots Elections

KAMPALA, Uganda – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has announced that party primaries for LCII Chairpersons and Parish Women Council Committees will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, as the ruling party moves into the next phase of its grassroots electoral roadmap.

The announcement was made on Thursday during a press briefing at the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala by the Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who was accompanied by Deputy Chairperson Hon. Fred Jacan Omach and Commissioner Hon. Amb. James Williams Kinobe.

The primaries come just days after the conclusion of the LCI Chairperson elections, in which the NRM recorded a commanding performance across the country.

NRM Dominates LCI Elections

Dr. Odoi revealed that provisional results indicate the NRM secured 51,093 out of 71,214 LCI Chairperson positions, representing 71.7 percent of all villages nationwide.

According to the results, independent candidates—many of whom are aligned with or sympathetic to the NRM—won 13,861 villages (19.5 percent), while all other political parties combined secured 3,971 villages (5.6 percent). Elections remain pending in 2,289 villages (3.2 percent).

He described the outcome as a major endorsement of the NRM's grassroots mobilisation strategy and congratulated party members, leaders, candidates and supporters for what he termed an impressive victory.

Dr. Odoi also extended an invitation to independent leaders who share the ideals and principles of the NRM to continue working closely with the party in advancing government programmes and strengthening service delivery at the grassroots.

Eligibility for LCII Primaries

The NRM Electoral Commission clarified that only members elected to the LCI Executive Committees in their respective villages will be eligible to contest for the NRM flag as LCII Chairpersons.

Similarly, members of the Village Women Council Committees will form the electoral college responsible for electing NRM flag bearers for the Parish Women Council Committees.

Dr. Odoi emphasized that these structures are central to the party's internal democratic processes and ensure that leaders emerging at parish level are elected by officials who have already earned the confidence of their communities.

Special Arrangements for Pending Villages

Addressing parishes where the National Electoral Commission has not yet concluded LCI elections, Dr. Odoi said the party would first allow the national electoral body to complete the remaining village polls scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026.

Subject to clearance from the National Electoral Commission, the NRM will then organize LCII Chairperson and Parish Women Council primaries in the affected parishes on Sunday, August 2, 2026, ensuring that no area is left behind in the party's electoral programme.

Electoral Roadmap Confirmed

Dr. Odoi also outlined the next stages of the Local Council electoral calendar.

He said nominations for LCII Chairperson and Parish Women Council candidates by the National Electoral Commission will take place on August 3, 2026.

The Parish Women Council elections are scheduled for August 7, while elections for LCII Chairpersons will be conducted on August 10, 2026.

He urged all NRM structures to remain vigilant and ensure that candidates who emerge victorious in the party primaries complete all nomination requirements within the stipulated timelines.

Call for Prompt Nominations

The Commission Chairperson warned successful candidates against delaying the submission of nomination forms after winning the party flag. "Do not keep the forms at home," Dr. Odoi cautioned.

He explained that failure to promptly collect, complete and submit nomination forms could result in otherwise successful NRM candidates missing the official nomination process, thereby denying the party representation in the National Electoral Commission's elections.

He appealed to parish-level party leaders to closely monitor the nomination process and provide the necessary guidance to all successful flag bearers.

Importance of Fully Constituted Village Executive Committees

Dr. Odoi further stressed the need for every village to have a fully constituted 11-member LCI Executive Committee.

He noted that these executive committees form the electoral college responsible for electing the NRM flag bearer for LCII Chairperson at parish level, making their full composition essential for a credible and inclusive electoral process.

According to the Commission, strong village leadership structures remain the foundation of the party's grassroots organisation and political mobilisation.

 Voting by Lining Up

The NRM Electoral Commission also reminded members that Friday's primaries will be conducted using the lining-up voting method, consistent with the procedure adopted for Local Council elections in Uganda.

Dr. Odoi explained that only registered voters whose names appear on the relevant voters' registers will be allowed to participate in the exercise.

He called upon party members to turn up early, observe discipline and ensure peaceful conduct throughout the elections.

Commitment to Transparent Internal Elections

As the party prepares for another critical phase of its internal electoral process, Dr. Odoi reaffirmed the NRM Electoral Commission's commitment to conducting transparent, credible and orderly elections across the country.

He said the Commission will continue issuing periodic updates as implementation of the Local Council electoral roadmap progresses, expressing confidence that the party is well-positioned to consolidate its grassroots leadership ahead of the official Local Council elections.

With Friday's primaries expected to attract thousands of village leaders across Uganda, the exercise marks another significant milestone in the NRM's preparations for the forthcoming Parish Women Council and LCII Chairperson elections, further strengthening the party's grassroots structures ahead of the next stages of the national electoral cycle.