NRM National Treasurer Reveals 566 NRM Flag Bearers Set to Take LC1 Chairperson Seats Unopposed Across Bukedi Subregion

A total of 566 candidates affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are set to secure Local Council (LC1) Chairperson positions unopposed across six districts in Uganda's Bukedi Subregion, in a development that highlights the party's strong grassroots presence in the region.

The figures were revealed by Hon. Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo, the NRM National Treasurer and team leader for the party's mobilisation activities in the Bukedi Subregion, ahead of the LC1 Chairperson elections scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

The unopposed candidates are NRM flag bearers who will not face a contest in their respective villages, according to the figures presented for Pallisa, Busia, Butalejja, Butebo, Kibuku and Budaka districts.

The development comes as political parties and candidates conclude preparations for the grassroots elections, which are expected to determine leadership at the village level and strengthen the structures through which communities engage with local government.

Pallisa

In Pallisa District, 121 candidates are unopposed out of a total of 498 villages. This represents approximately 24.30 percent of the villages in the district.

The figure places Pallisa among the districts with a significant number of NRM flag bearers set to assume LC1 leadership without facing a rival at the ballot.

Busia

In Busia District, a total of 105 LC1 Chairperson candidates are unopposed out of 568 villages, representing approximately 18.49 percent.

The number is significant given the district's strategic position within the Bukedi Subregion and reflects the extent to which NRM candidates have secured uncontested positions at the grassroots level.

Butalejja

Butalejja District has recorded 99 unopposed LC1 Chairperson candidates out of 443 villages. This translates to approximately 22.35 percent of the villages.

The figure further contributes to the overall total of unopposed candidates across the six districts and demonstrates the party's organisational presence at village level.

Butebo Records Highest Proportion

Butebo District has recorded the highest proportion of unopposed LC1 Chairperson candidates among the six districts.

According to the figures, 98 candidates are unopposed out of 269 villages, representing approximately 36.43 percent of the total villages in the district.

The high percentage makes Butebo a notable example of the extent of unopposed candidatures in the Bukedi Subregion.

Kibuku

In Kibuku District, 81 candidates are unopposed out of 405 villages, accounting for approximately 20 percent of the villages.

The candidates are expected to take up LC1 Chairperson positions without facing a contested election in their respective villages.

Budaka

In Budaka District, 62 candidates are unopposed out of 323 villages, representing approximately 19.20 percent.

The figures add to the growing number of NRM candidates who have secured uncontested positions across the Bukedi Subregion.

Political Significance

The high number of unopposed candidates has been viewed by NRM leaders as a reflection of the party's organisational strength and grassroots mobilisation in Bukedi.

The LC1 Chairperson is a key figure in the local governance structure, serving as an important link between residents and higher levels of local administration. As a result, the outcome of the grassroots elections is expected to have implications for political mobilisation, community leadership and service delivery.

The large number of unopposed NRM flag bearers could also strengthen the party's grassroots structures in the six districts. With the candidates facing no electoral contest in their respective villages, the NRM is expected to retain a strong presence at the lowest level of local political leadership.

However, the figures also provide an indication of the competitive political environment at village level, where opposition parties and independent candidates may have failed to field candidates or secure sufficient support to mount contests in some areas.

Elections Set for July 28

The unopposed candidates are part of the broader LC1 Chairperson election process scheduled for July 28, 2026, across Uganda.

The elections are expected to complete another phase of the country's grassroots electoral process, following the recent village-level elections for Women Council Committees.

The Electoral Commission has been calling upon voters, candidates and their supporters to maintain peace and adhere to the electoral guidelines throughout the process.

For the NRM, the high number of unopposed candidates in Bukedi provides the party with a strong foundation as it seeks to consolidate its grassroots structures and maintain its political influence across the subregion.

Bukedi's Political Landscape

The six districts—Pallisa, Busia, Butalejja, Butebo, Kibuku and Budaka—form a significant part of the Bukedi Subregion, which has historically been an important area in Uganda's political landscape.

The figures announced by Amb. Nekesa Oundo show that the NRM has established a considerable presence in village leadership across the subregion. With 566 NRM flag bearers unopposed, the party is poised to secure a substantial number of LC1 Chairperson positions without contested polls in the affected villages.

The development is likely to be closely watched by political stakeholders as the July 28 elections approach, particularly in assessing the strength of grassroots political mobilisation and the level of competition among political parties.

As Ugandans head to the polls to elect their LC1 Chairpersons, the results from Bukedi will provide an important indicator of the political balance and organisational strength of the various political actors at the village level.

For the NRM and its leadership in Bukedi, the large number of unopposed candidates represents a major political milestone and could further consolidate the party's grassroots network in the region.