NRM Leaders Crisscross Uganda to Consolidate Support for Village Elections

KAMPALA — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has launched an intensive nationwide mobilisation campaign ahead of the forthcoming Village Women Council and Local Council I (LC I) elections, with the party's top leadership making a strong appeal for unity and discipline as the foundation for electoral success.

Over the weekend, senior officials from the NRM Secretariat fanned out across the country, convening sub-regional entry meetings in Acholi, West Nile, Lango, Bugisu, Karamoja, Bukedi, Greater Masaka, Greater Mubende, Greater Luwero, Greater Mukono, Ankole, Rwenzori, Kigezi and Bunyoro. The engagements brought together Members of Parliament, district party chairpersons, LC V leaders, Resident District Commissioners, security officials, registrars and other grassroots leaders to harmonise campaign strategies ahead of the Village Women Council elections scheduled for July 23 and the LC I Chairperson elections on July 28.

Across every meeting, one message stood out above all others: the strength of the NRM begins in the village, and only a united party can deliver victory at the grassroots.

Village leadership is the foundation of the party

Speaking at the conclusion of the Acholi sub-region meeting in Gulu City, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong described LC I chairpersons as the backbone of both the party and the country's governance structure.

According to Todwong, every village represents the first point of contact between government and citizens, making village leaders indispensable in delivering the party's message and implementing government programmes.

"Every village consists of households, and within the NRM, LC I chairpersons serve as household leaders for the party. They form the bridge between the population and the leadership, reaching communities even where the President cannot personally go."

He said vibrant village structures are essential for maintaining an organised political movement capable of addressing community concerns while strengthening support for the party across the country.

Todwong revealed that the NRM has already identified and endorsed flag bearers in nearly all villages, with the current focus shifting towards ensuring their victory during the elections.

Warning against sponsoring independents

A central concern raised by the Secretary General was the growing tendency of some party members to covertly finance independent candidates after losing internal party processes.

He described the practice as a dangerous form of internal sabotage capable of weakening the NRM from within.

"We have intelligence concerning this political disease where established leaders sabotage the party by backing independents against our chosen candidates."

Todwong urged leaders at every level to respect the party's internal democratic processes and rally behind officially endorsed candidates rather than creating divisions that ultimately benefit political opponents.

He warned that internal competition should end once party flag bearers have been selected, arguing that unity remains the NRM's greatest electoral asset.

Secretariat celebrates financial recovery

Beyond the electoral preparations, Todwong used the gatherings to highlight reforms undertaken at the NRM Secretariat.

He disclosed that the party has successfully cleared all outstanding debts accumulated during previous election cycles, restoring financial stability after years of challenges.

The Secretary General further announced that approximately Shs11 billion collected through expression of interest fees has been ring-fenced for the construction of permanent district party offices across Uganda.

He explained that the Secretariat also intends to establish regional offices and eventually construct a modern national headquarters as part of efforts to decentralise party administration and improve service delivery to members.

According to Todwong, permanent infrastructure will strengthen coordination between the Secretariat and grassroots structures while ensuring the party remains accessible to members throughout the country.

Namayanja blames internal conflicts for electoral setbacks

In Greater Masaka, Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja Nsereko echoed the unity message, arguing that the NRM's greatest challenge does not come from opposition political parties but from divisions within its own ranks.

Addressing party leaders, Namayanja observed that many candidates defeated during party primaries later contest elections as independents, splitting the NRM vote despite remaining popular among supporters.

"The opposition is not the NRM's greatest threat. Our biggest problem is ourselves because we undermine and fight each other."

She urged leaders to stop interfering with officially endorsed candidates and instead devote their energy to mobilising support for the party.

According to Namayanja, maintaining unity after internal elections is critical if the NRM is to retain its dominance at both local and national levels.

Bukedi urged to strengthen grassroots mobilisation

In Bukedi sub-region, NRM National Treasurer Hon. Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo challenged party leaders to intensify mobilisation efforts in every village. She described villages as the foundation upon which the NRM's organisational strength is built, emphasising that grassroots elections are just as important as parliamentary and presidential contests.

Nekesa noted that Local Council leaders play a direct role in service delivery, community mobilisation and implementation of government programmes.

She encouraged leaders to utilise village mobilisation barazas ahead of polling day to popularise NRM candidates and ensure maximum voter turnout.

"The village is where our strength starts, and we must stay connected with our people through vibrant grassroots structures."

Bugisu meeting honours Gen. Moses Ali

The Bugisu sub-regional meeting in Mbale City combined mobilisation activities with tributes to veteran statesman Gen. Moses Ali, whose passing was described as a significant loss for Uganda.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, NRM Director of Communication Hon. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo explained that the nationwide engagements were intended to prepare MPs, district leaders, LC V chairpersons and other officials for the forthcoming grassroots elections while conveying President Yoweri Museveni's message on unity and service.

Dombo said the President thanked Ugandans for their continued confidence in the NRM and encouraged leaders to remain committed to wealth creation, poverty eradication, national unity and peace.

According to Dombo, President Museveni emphasised that lasting peace remains the foundation for sustainable development and urged leaders to continue supporting flagship government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

The President also encouraged all eligible women and registered voters to participate actively in both the Village Women Council elections and the LC I Chairperson elections, describing the exercises as vital to strengthening democratic governance from the grassroots.

Similar message echoed across Uganda

The call for unity resonated in every region visited by the Secretariat teams.

In West Nile, NRM Director of Finance Hajjati Medina Naham thanked residents for their overwhelming support during the recent general elections and appealed for similar enthusiasm during the LC I polls.

Within the Kampala Metropolitan area, Director of Mobilisation and Cadre Development Hon. Dr. Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde, who leads the metropolitan mobilisation team, rallied party leaders to consolidate support in urban communities while strengthening grassroots organisation.

Other senior officials—including National Women's League Chairperson Hon. Aldrine Kobusingye, Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Jacqueline Kyatuhaire in Kigezi, Director for External Affairs Awich Pollar, Director of Youth and Institutions Okwir Rwabwoni, NRM Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Hon. Jachan Omach, and Commissioners Hon. Driwaru Zaituni, Hon. James Williams Kinobe, Hon. Juliana Modesta, and Hon. Tweheyo James—all reinforced the importance of unity and warned against financing independent candidates.

Karamoja and Bunyoro embrace mobilisation message

In Karamoja, leaders urged members to remain united behind President Museveni and the party leadership while working collectively to secure victory for all NRM flag bearers.

They stressed that discipline, teamwork and effective grassroots mobilisation would be essential in protecting the party's achievements and expanding its support throughout the region.

Meanwhile, in Bunyoro, President Museveni, through NRM Director for Legal Affairs Counsel Enoch Barata, encouraged Ugandans to actively participate in the forthcoming grassroots elections.

The President highlighted the crucial role played by village leadership in monitoring public service delivery, combating corruption, supporting wealth creation initiatives and driving poverty reduction at community level.

He argued that effective village leadership remains central to achieving the country's long-term development agenda.

Grassroots elections seen as key to party strength

The nationwide mobilisation campaign comes as the NRM intensifies preparations for the Village Women Council elections on July 23 and the LC I Chairperson elections on July 28.

Party leaders believe the grassroots polls will shape the strength of the organisation ahead of future electoral contests by reinforcing local structures, increasing community participation and deepening engagement between the leadership and ordinary members.

Throughout the country, the message remained consistent: victory begins in the village.

By urging members to unite behind officially endorsed candidates, reject internal divisions and actively mobilise voters, the NRM hopes to strengthen its grassroots base while laying a firm foundation for continued political organisation across Uganda.