The highly anticipated NRM elections for village structures and LC1 chairperson flag bearers were successfully concluded in all the 72,000 village polling stations nationwide.
The process began at 10 am with barazas to verify the village registers by establishing the accuracy of all the names and corresponding details before they moved to line up behind candidates of choice to fill all 30 village positions.
The NRM National Chairman and President, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the First Lady, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, both participated in the village electoral process of party leaders in Rwakitura cell, Kiruhura and Ireenga cell in Ntungamo district, respectively.
At Nshwerenkye, the village registrar reported that the yellow book contained 290 voters after scrutiny, after deleting 61 members who were either unknown to the villagers, had migrated or could have died.
The 290 voters are already registered and confirmed. Of course, I know other people who are not on this list yet. Now that I know, certainly my grandchildren, children of (Gen.) Muhoozi are now above 18 years of age and I am sure they will want to join the party, but their names are not there, but they will be added later,” President Museveni said.
He added, “What we wanted was to confirm the accuracy of the list we have now. The (NRM) secretariat will tell when and how those missing can be added. That is what we did in the morning from 10 am and later elected the structures.”
The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, assured the national chairman and party members that the secretariat is ready and determined to deliver free and fair primary elections for all positions.
Like we have witnessed, our membership register is reliable and dependable to help us conduct trusted elections.
Dr Tanga, however, revealed that elections in Rubirizi district and Serere County were postponed since it is a market day. The polls were also stopped in one village in Kapelebyong district where an aspirant died.
Land fragmentation
The Head of State cautioned the villages against dividing their family estates into small pieces, saying it retards progress.
“I advise that family members, especially children should always consider consolidating the family land and jointly use it to their benefit before the population is daily increasing the land unchanged.
The Nshwerenkye baraza was also attended by the Kiruhura district NRM Chairman, Sedrack Nzeire, members of parliament among others.
NRM Secretary General in Nwoya
The NRM Secretary General, Rt Hon Richard Todwong, who was on ground in Nwoya district, lauded the widespread participation and largely peaceful conduct of the party's village-level mobilisation activities held today.
"It has been moving on so well," he stated while addressing journalists moments after overseeing the voting process at Gang pa ayella polling station in Purongo Town Council, Nwoya district. "I've been checking around the countryside, everybody has participated well."Todwong said.
Deputy Secretary General in Nakaseke
In Bukakala village, Kirema Parish, Nakaseke district, the NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rt Hon Namayanja Rose Nsereko, emphasised the significance of grassroots participation, stating, "Your strong turnout today reflects your trust in the NRM. The timely delivery of materials and competitive spirit across the 72,000 villages showcase your confidence in our party's vision."
She then outlined the NRM's electoral timeline, noting key dates: parish elections on May 12, sub-county elections on May 16, municipal elections on May 19, district elections on May 23, parliamentary flag bearer elections on July 16, and presidential candidate selection at Namboole.
National Treasurer in Busia
In Sichehe village, Masafu Town Council in Busia district, the NRM National Treasurer, Hon. Amb Barbara Nekesa Oundo, commended the party members for exercising maturity during the structure elections. By consensus of village members, all 30 positions were filled with no voting required, an act that Amb. Nekesa was commended as mature.
"The act shows mutual respect and unity among my villagemates" Nekesa said.
Deputy National Treasurer in Kanungu
In Kanungu district, the party's Deputy National Treasurer, Hon. Jacqueline Kyatuheire, emphasised the importance of transparency, unity, and integrity in the electoral process. She encouraged the voters to be honest and vote for credible, committed leaders who will lay a strong foundation for the future of the par,ty both at the grassroots and national levels.