KAMPALA — The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager and National Coordinator of the Bazzukulu, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has called on Ugandans to participate actively in the forthcoming Local Council (LC I) and Women Council elections, urging voters to elect leaders of integrity who will champion community development and effectively represent the interests of citizens.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Monday, Namyalo described the grassroots elections as a critical opportunity for Ugandans to choose leaders who understand the challenges facing their communities and are committed to delivering meaningful service.
She disclosed that the ONC has established mobilisation structures in more than 72,000 villages across the country, saying the network has played a significant role in strengthening grassroots mobilisation and consolidating support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Namyalo reminded voters that Women Council elections will be held on July 23, while Local Council I (LC I) elections are scheduled for July 28, and urged all eligible citizens to participate in both exercises.
“We call upon all Ugandans to exercise their constitutional right by voting for leaders with integrity, honesty and commitment to serving their communities. These are leaders who understand the daily challenges facing the people because they live and work among them,” she said.
She made a special appeal to women to use the Women Council elections to elect leaders who will champion their welfare, economic empowerment and gender equality.
According to Namyalo, women should support candidates with a proven commitment to addressing poverty, advocating for equal opportunities and improving livelihoods at the grassroots.
“As women, we have a responsibility to elect leaders who will speak for us, defend our interests and ensure our voices are heard. We need compassionate leaders who understand the struggles of fellow women and are prepared to lobby for opportunities that improve their livelihoods,” she said.
She cautioned voters against being swayed by short-term political promises, urging them instead to evaluate candidates based on their integrity, track record and commitment to public service.
Namyalo noted that Local Council leaders play a vital role in linking communities to government programmes, resolving local challenges and ensuring effective service delivery.
“They are the first leaders people turn to whenever there is a problem. Communities must therefore choose leaders they trust and believe will genuinely represent their interests,” she added.
The ONC coordinator further revealed that the organisation has identified and mobilised 31,629 ONC-NRM-leaning candidates contesting on the NRM ticket in the upcoming grassroots elections.
She encouraged the candidates to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns while observing the party’s values and electoral guidelines.
Namyalo also urged aspirants contesting positions that remain vacant after the NRM internal electoral process to work closely with the NRM Electoral Commission, led by Dr Tanga Odoi, to ensure the party fields strong and united candidates.
She emphasised that unity within the ruling party would be crucial in strengthening grassroots leadership and preparing for future electoral contests.
The ONC has in recent months intensified nationwide mobilisation campaigns aimed at strengthening NRM structures, promoting government wealth-creation programmes and encouraging greater participation of young people, women and other special interest groups in grassroots leadership.