The Mighty National Resistance Movement (NRM) has allocated Shs5 billion to support preparations for the upcoming Local Council One (LC1), Local Council Two (LC2) and Women Council elections.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi told reporters that the funds are part of about Shs11 billion collected by the party through expressions of interest from aspirants during previous internal elections.
“We are going to use Shs5 billion to fill positions of LC1, LC2 and Women Councils up to the national level,” Dr. Tanga said,
He however defended the allocation, saying the money was necessary to facilitate the extensive exercise.
“Shs5 billion is really less money. We have 72,000 villages. Flag bearers must be facilitated, and election materials have to be provided,” he said.
According to Tanga the first major activity on its roadmap will take place on July 10, when party members will gather at village barazas to verify whether candidates previously selected as NRM flag bearers for LC1 chairperson positions in 2025 and Women Council representatives in 2023 are still alive and available to contest on the party ticket.
He said the verification exercise will be supervised by NRM Electoral Commission registrars at village level, supported by polling assistants and overseen by parish registrars, district election officers and regional supervisors.
The commission urged all NRM members to participate in the meetings, describing the exercise as critical in ensuring the party presents verified candidates for the elections.
“Where members reach consensus on a candidate, the flag bearer will be endorsed without voting. However, in cases where consensus fails, members will vote by lining up behind their preferred candidate,”Tanga stressed.
After the village meetings, the verified names will be submitted to the office of the NRM Secretary General for endorsement between July 11 and July 14, before nominations at sub-county level from July 15 to July 19.
The party’s candidates will then participate in the national electoral process, with Village Women Council elections scheduled for July 23 and LC1 elections set for July 28.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tanga cautioned NRM members against contesting as independents after losing internal party elections, urging them to resolve disputes through party structures.
“We are not encouraging any independent to stand against NRM. If you have an issue with the person who got the flag, negotiate within the party. Don’t come as an independent against our flag bearers,” he said.
