By Frank Kamuntu
The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, on Tuesday took part in the ongoing 2026 local government elections, casting her vote for division councillors and mayors in Kampala.
Hajjat Namyalo voted at Goodwill Zone polling station in Nsambya Central, Makindye Division, where she praised the exercise for being smooth, orderly, and well-managed.
Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, Namyalo commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for notable improvements in the conduct of the elections, particularly the functionality of the Biometric Voter Verification (BVVK) machines.
“The process today has been smooth and swift,” Namyalo said. “Unlike some of the challenges experienced during the recent presidential and parliamentary elections, the BVVK machines are working well. I was scanned and confirmed as a legitimate voter without any delay.”
She further applauded the overall organisation of the 2026 electoral process, describing it as peaceful and well-coordinated across polling stations.
“This is one of the good elections Uganda has organised,” she noted, adding that the calm atmosphere at polling centres reflects growing public confidence in Uganda’s electoral system.
Namyalo also expressed optimism about the performance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Kampala, citing what she described as visible enthusiasm and support for the party across several polling stations she visited.
“From my observation, there are clear signs that the NRM continues to enjoy support in Kampala, with many voters turning up to back the party’s candidates,” she said.
The ongoing local government elections form a key component of the wider 2026 electoral cycle, with voters electing leaders at municipality, city division, and councillor levels. According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 325 candidates were nominated for 56 municipality and city division chairperson seats, 3,313 candidates for 888 municipality and city division directly elected councillor positions, and 1,833 candidates for 626 municipality and city division women councillor slots.
In many areas, the NRM is seeking to build on gains registered in recent elections. During the parliamentary polls, the party secured three seats in Kampala, four in Wakiso—including the district chairperson seat—and one LC5 position in Mukono. In Mukono, however, the National Unity Platform (NUP) won all parliamentary seats.
In last week’s local government council elections, the NRM won eight directly elected councillor seats in Kampala, while NUP secured 17 seats and the Lord Mayoral position. The remaining special interest group councillor slots—representing youth, workers, older persons, and persons with disabilities—are traditionally won by the NRM.
Meanwhile, in Makindye Division, the mayoral race concluded with NRM’s Yasin Omari remaining unopposed after the Electoral Commission disqualified 11 candidates. Omari, who has been serving as Muyenga LC1 chairperson, is now awaiting swearing-in.
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