Uganda's ruling party has picked 291 people to fight for just 16 top spots on their main committee. President Yoweri Museveni sailed through without any competition after his two rivals failed to make the cut. Three people want the first vice chair job, and two women are battling for the second vice chair spot. The contest pits current Parliament Speaker Anita Among against former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. Back in 2021, the party decided not to hold elections for the first vice chair position.
Different regions across the country have varying numbers of hopefuls vying for leadership roles. The northern region has 4 candidates, the eastern region pulled in 9 contenders, and the central region attracted 7 hopefuls. Western region leads with 11 candidates, Kampala has 5, and Karamoja rounds out with 7 people seeking the regional vice chair positions. Party officials confirmed these numbers during Saturday's announcement.
Special interest groups within the party have drawn massive interest from potential leaders. The Women's League brought 38 candidates, the Youth League attracted the most with 71 hopefuls, and the Workers League drew 33 contenders. People with disabilities put forward 26 candidates, entrepreneurs fielded 39 hopefuls, and veterans contributed 22 candidates. The Elders League had the smallest group with just 12 people seeking leadership positions.
Campaign violence has erupted across several districts, forcing party officials to take drastic action. One person died in Ssembabule, and damage occurred in Bundibugyo and Isingiro districts where shops faced destruction. Officials suspended campaigns in Bwamba constituency and Isingiro after the troubles broke out. Party leaders are watching other areas closely as tensions remain high. The violence has mainly affected parliamentary races rather than local council contests.
Parliamentary campaigns wrap up on July 14th, with voting scheduled for July 17th. Local council chair campaigns end on July 22nd, and voting happens on July 24th. The national conference takes place from August 22nd to 25th. The national electoral commission will handle MP nominations in September, and presidential candidate nominations occur in early October.
Different regions across the country have varying numbers of hopefuls vying for leadership roles. The northern region has 4 candidates, the eastern region pulled in 9 contenders, and the central region attracted 7 hopefuls. Western region leads with 11 candidates, Kampala has 5, and Karamoja rounds out with 7 people seeking the regional vice chair positions. Party officials confirmed these numbers during Saturday's announcement.
Special interest groups within the party have drawn massive interest from potential leaders. The Women's League brought 38 candidates, the Youth League attracted the most with 71 hopefuls, and the Workers League drew 33 contenders. People with disabilities put forward 26 candidates, entrepreneurs fielded 39 hopefuls, and veterans contributed 22 candidates. The Elders League had the smallest group with just 12 people seeking leadership positions.
Campaign violence has erupted across several districts, forcing party officials to take drastic action. One person died in Ssembabule, and damage occurred in Bundibugyo and Isingiro districts where shops faced destruction. Officials suspended campaigns in Bwamba constituency and Isingiro after the troubles broke out. Party leaders are watching other areas closely as tensions remain high. The violence has mainly affected parliamentary races rather than local council contests.
Parliamentary campaigns wrap up on July 14th, with voting scheduled for July 17th. Local council chair campaigns end on July 22nd, and voting happens on July 24th. The national conference takes place from August 22nd to 25th. The national electoral commission will handle MP nominations in September, and presidential candidate nominations occur in early October.
