By Ainembabazi Merab
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has directed all party members in more than 72,000 villages across Uganda to attend mandatory village elective Barazas scheduled for Friday, July 10.
The meetings, backed by a Shs5 billion mobilisation budget, are intended to verify existing flag bearers and fill leadership gaps in Local Council One (LC1) and Women Councils ahead of the upcoming elections.
According to the party's roadmap, the Barazas will begin at exactly 10:00am at designated village meeting points.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi said the exercise is aimed at strengthening grassroots structures and ensuring all leadership positions are properly filled.
"We are going to use five billion to fill up positions of LC1, LC2, and Women Council up to the national level," Dr Tanga Odoi said.
He explained that the funds were sourced from money collected during the party's expression of interest process for East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) positions.
During the village Barazas, party members will review flag bearers elected in 2023 and 2025 to confirm whether they are still alive, available and willing to contest.
Where vacancies exist due to death, relocation or withdrawal from the race, fresh selections will be conducted.
Dr Tanga said the Barazas have the authority to fill any leadership gaps through a village-based voting process.
"In case there is any gap, that Baraza has the mandate to fill that gap. In case it is unfortunate that the flag bearer passed on, this Baraza has to fill that gap with a new person. The voting there will be by lining up within that village. If they don’t agree by consensus, they agree by lining behind the candidate," he said.
The party has cautioned members against transactional politics, insisting that party flags cannot be bought or sold. Members have also been encouraged to verify their details in the national voters' register, which is a requirement for participation.
Following the village Barazas, the NRM will proceed with the next stages of the electoral process:
- July 11–14: Secretary General endorsement and stamping of candidate forms.
- July 15–19: Official nominations at sub-county level.
- July 23: Women Council elections.
- July 28: National LC1 polling day.
Party officials have urged members to prioritise the Barazas and avoid distractions to ensure the success of the grassroots exercise.
The NRM says the process is aimed at strengthening its structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
