EC conducts elections for 70,200 Village Women’s Council Chairpersons

The Electoral Commission held elections for 70,200 Village Women’s Council Chairpersons, ending an eight-year hiatus.

Yesterday, the 23nd of this month, the Electoral Commission conducted the election of Village Women's Council Chairpersons across the country, with 70,200 positions contested. This marked the end of an eight-year hiatus without these councils in place. Speaking ahead of the exercise, election officials confirmed that preparations had been adequately completed.

Looking ahead, on July 28th, the Electoral Commission will oversee the election of Village Chairpersons nationwide — the final phase of the local government electoral process as mandated by the Ugandan Constitution.

In Ssembule Zone A, where we caught up with Saidat Namatovu, who was elected as the Village Women's Council Chairperson (Nabakyala). We asked her to explain the work she plans to do for the women who elected her. She stated that despite being a member of the NRM party, she will work to ensure that government programs such as PDM, Emyooga, and other initiatives reach the women in her village.

We also met with Namatovu's deputy, or as she is known, the Vice Chairperson. She outlined their responsibilities and what they have promised to deliver.

The women in Ssembule Zone A shared with us their expectations for this new leadership that was elected yesterday.

We then moved from Kabowa to Wandegeya in Lubaga Division, Kampala. This was one of the hotly contested polling stations in yesterday's elections for the Village Women's Council Chairperson. The two main candidates were Namubiru Harriet and Bakanasa Rehema.

At the Wandegeya polling station yesterday, women gathered in large numbers. Security was heavily deployed, including police presence, which even prompted the Kampala RCC, Umar Mawiya, to come and restore order.

However, turning our focus back to today's main story, we are examining the responsibilities of the Village Women's Council Chairperson and what the women hope to achieve through this office.

At Wandegeya, we witnessed heated exchanges during yesterday's voting and asked the women who participated what motivated them. Why did they turn out in large numbers to campaign and learn about the candidates?

They responded that they want someone who will understand the challenges women face. They also shared their hopes for Namubiru Harriet, despite her loss, and expressed their desire to see her succeed in future.

We also spoke with Namubiru Harriet, who was elected yesterday to lead the Women's Council office in Wandegeya Katale Zone from now until 2031. She explained what she plans to do for the women who voted for her, mentioning that she will fulfill her responsibilities and ensure self-sustainability.

From Wandegeya in Kawempe Division, we continued our journey to Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality in Wakiso District, specifically to Gangu B Village. Here, we met a Village Women's Council Chairperson who won by a significant margin in yesterday's poll. She shared with us her outlined responsibilitie. 

She further told us that she will invest her energy in strengthening families and ensuring that the women of Gangu B are distinct from women in other villages across the country. 

We have heard and understood all these promises. However, we will wait to see whether they will fulfill the commitments they have made with the same enthusiasm they showed during yesterday's campaigns.

As we conclude, we encourage all Ugandans to turn out on July 28th to vote for their Village Chairpersons. Remember, the Village Chairperson is the primary leader from whom all other leaders derive their authority.