Hoima records 22 female LC1 candidates as EC urges peaceful participation in village elections

Bunyoro: The race for the 2026 Local Council I (LC1) elections in Hoima District has highlighted a significant gender imbalance, with only 22 women successfully nominated against 671 men, as the Electoral Commission concluded the nomination exercise peacefully.

According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 693 candidates were nominated for LC1 chairperson positions across the district. Of these, 316 are contesting on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, 4 represent the National Unity Platform (NUP), 3 are from the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), while 370 are standing as independents.

The figures indicate that women account for just over 3% of all LC1 chairperson candidates despite ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion in grassroots leadership.

In contrast, the Women Council elections attracted 1,553 candidates, with the NRM fielding 1,158 candidates while 395 are contesting as independents.

Hoima District Returning Officer Hassan Takwana said the nomination process was conducted peacefully and without major incidents. “The nomination exercise has been peaceful across the district,” Takwana said.

He reminded residents that only those registered on the village register, which is based on a person’s place of residence, will be eligible to vote in the Local Council elections.

“Residents who did not register during the village registration exercise will not be allowed to vote, even if they appear on the National Voters Register,” Takwana explained.

He noted that many eligible residents missed the village registration exercise after wrongly assuming that registration on the National Voters Register automatically qualified them to participate in village elections.

Takwana appealed to all eligible registered voters to participate in the elections, with Women Council elections scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2026, and LC1 elections set for July 28, 2026.

He also warned that attempts by unregistered individuals to vote could disrupt the electoral process and pledged that electoral officials would ensure orderly polling.

Meanwhile, in Masindi District, the Electoral Commission has urged residents to elect capable and committed leaders who will promote development and improve service delivery.

Speaking to this publication at the Electoral Commission offices in Northern Cell, Central Division, Masindi Municipality, Assistant Returning Officer Abubakar Lubwama encouraged voters to participate actively in the forthcoming village elections.

“A good leader is one who cares for the people without personal interests and works to bring development to the community,” Lubwama said.

He said all key electoral activities, including voter register display and candidate nominations, had been completed successfully, and the commission was fully prepared for polling.

“We are ready for the Women Council elections tomorrow in all the 418 villages of Masindi District, after which the electoral process will continue up to the national level,” he noted.

Lubwama also called on all eligible voters to turn up on July 28 for the LC1 chairperson elections across the district.

“Voting is not an everyday activity. I encourage every eligible citizen to spare some time and vote because leadership begins at the village level,” he said.

He explained that the LC1 elections would be conducted through the traditional lining-up system, describing it as a transparent method of voting.

Lubwama further assured the public that both Electoral Commission staff and security agencies were fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections.

“We are optimistic the exercise will be smooth, just as it was during the 2026 General Elections. Anyone who attempts to cause chaos will be arrested and dealt with individually,” he warned.

He urged candidates to accept the election outcomes peacefully and reminded successful villages to remain at polling stations after electing LC1 chairpersons so that the newly elected chairpersons can oversee the formation of the village executive committee in accordance with the electoral guidelines.

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