Jinja City — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has registered a significant political comeback in Jinja City after winning the vast majority of Local Council I (LC1) chairperson positions, underscoring the party’s enduring grassroots network despite suffering losses in the city’s parliamentary and mayoral contests earlier this year.
Final election results show NRM-backed candidates secured 113 of the 141 village chairperson seats, while independents and opposition candidates shared the remaining 28 positions.
The outcome presents a different picture from the 2026 general elections, when opposition candidates dominated the city’s parliamentary constituencies and division mayoral races. The latest vote suggests that many residents distinguished between national politics and the leadership they preferred to manage village affairs.
Speaking after the declaration of results, Jinja City NRM General Secretary Medi Ntuyo said the ruling party’s performance was the product of deliberate planning rather than chance.
He explained that the party reviewed its shortcomings following the general elections and prioritized candidates with established records of serving their communities.
According to Ntuyo, stronger mobilization and closer coordination between village structures and party leaders also contributed to the impressive performance.
Opposition leaders, meanwhile, acknowledged shortcomings within their own ranks.
FDC Deputy National Head of Mobilization Medi Mbentyo said the opposition entered many village races divided, allowing NRM candidates to benefit from fragmented support. He urged opposition supporters to build stronger unity ahead of future local elections.
Former Jinja City Mayor Peter Okocha Kasolo argued that many opposition candidates failed to convince voters on issues directly affecting communities. He said village elections are typically decided by a candidate’s visibility, accessibility, and ability to solve everyday problems rather than by national political rhetoric.
One of the uncontested victories was recorded in Mainstreet West Village, where Badiru Nabugo was elected chairperson without opposition. He attributed his return to office to years of close engagement with residents and responding to their day-to-day concerns.
NUP Head of Ideology and Training Pastor Andrew Muwanguzi declined to make an extensive comment on the party’s showing, saying he would reserve his views.
The Jinja results add to a broader national trend in which the NRM has performed strongly in LC1 elections across many districts, even in areas where opposition parties remain influential in higher elective offices.
Political observers say the outcome demonstrates that village elections are often shaped by personal relationships, community trust, and local service delivery, factors that can produce results very different from those seen in parliamentary and presidential contests.
As the new LC1 chairpersons prepare to assume office, attention is expected to shift from election campaigns to addressing neighborhood concerns, strengthening local governance, and delivering on promises made to residents.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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