GULU CITY: The NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, has officially launched the party’s nationwide Village Barazas ahead of the forthcoming Village Women’s Councils and LC I Chairperson elections.
The launch happened today at Lajwa Tek Cell, Pageya Ward, in Gulu City, with Todwong calling for massive participation in the exercise which takes place tomorrow.
The launch indicated that LC I chairpersons had officially been flagged off to hold the Village Barazas across more than 72,000 villages, starting Wednesday.
The exercise will be coordinated by NRM teams deployed to all 18 sub-regions to supervise the programme, engage party supporters and mobilise communities to rally behind the party’s official flag bearers.
Addressing residents, Rt. Hon. Todwong underscored the importance of electing NRM candidates, noting that grassroots leadership has evolved from being based on individual merit to being founded on party responsibility, accountability and effective service delivery.
He urged party members to remain united and vote for the party’s official candidates, emphasising that strong grassroots leadership is essential in advancing the NRM’s vision of transforming communities and improving the lives of wananchi.
The Secretary General also reflected on the evolution of Uganda’s Local Council system, tracing its roots to the Resistance Councils established during the liberation struggle. He said the councils were created to promote grassroots participation, unity and people-centred governance — values that continue to define the NRM’s leadership philosophy.
The nationwide mobilisation follows the nomination of candidates for the Village Women’s Councils and LC I Chairperson elections by the Independent Electoral Commission between 15th and 19th July 2026. Candidates are currently campaigning ahead of the Village Women’s Councils elections on 23rd July and the LC I Chairperson elections on 28th July.
As the overall coordinator of the exercise, Rt. Hon. Todwong said the Village Barazas are intended to consolidate support for the party’s official flag bearers and strengthen the NRM’s grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
The NRM has deployed teams across all 18 sub-regions to oversee the exercise and ensure effective mobilisation at the village level. The party says the Village Barazas are aimed at securing overwhelming victories for NRM candidates, noting that Local Councils remain the foundation of the Movement’s grassroots organisation and the first level of leadership closest to the people.
Ahead of the nationwide rollout, NRM sub-regional coordinators in the Acholi Sub-region conducted mobilisation meetings in Lamogi Sub-county, Amuru District, urging party leaders and supporters to turn out in large numbers for the Village Barazas and rally behind the party’s official candidates.
