The National Unity Platform (NUP) party has accused the the government citing offices of Resident District Commissioners(RDCs) in different districts of intimidating their candidates to contest for the position of the Local Council one in their respective villages.
According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), RDCs and some security agencies are intimidating the candidates to abandon the NUP party ticket and contest independently for collaboration and to secure victory.
“Museveni has been speaking about democracy, but where is that democracy he speaks of if he can’t tolerate those who criticise his government? What is happening in villages undermines the same democracy he talks about,” Ssenyonyi said.
While addressing journalists on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the party headquarters in Kavule, Ssenyonyi added that he will continue to speak against impunity in government because he has the mandate to hold the government accountable for the taxpayers’ money and violations of human rights.
Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo stated that the position of LCI is crucial because it’s where the legal processes begin, and public administration commences, encouraging Ugandans to participate in the process of electing leaders because God uses people to elect leaders,
He also warned that those who are intimidating people to elect their leaders should stop because it is a God-given right, as also enshrined in Uganda’s constitution, and advised voters of respective villages to reject any forms of corruption in exchange for votes.
Deputy Party President in charge of the Western Region, Jacklyn Jolly Tukamushaba, said that NUP is being fought because it has performed exceedingly.
“I advise members to mobilise for NUP candidates at the villages, to hold leadership from the grassroots to ensure justice is served. Voters should reject handouts from the corrupt people in exchange for votes and lose the biggest purpose of establishing the NUP party from the grassroots,” She said.
Abibu Buwembo, Mobilisation secretary, warned that security agencies should be national in character, stating that Uganda is a multiparty state where political parties are free to carry out activities independently. He, however, pledged support for those who are contesting for LC I positions, ensuring them victory
David Lewis Rubongoya, the NUP Secretary General, commended the diaspora supporters for their continued financial support and protests against human rights violations, condemning the arrest of Muwnaga Kivumbi, the act he described as state persecution being unleashed on those who oppose it.
According to the Electoral Commission, the polling day for the Local Council I Chairperson elections will take place on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, across all 71,214 villages in Uganda.
