NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Todwong Engages Ankole University Students on Party Achievements and Youth Agenda

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, has held an extensive engagement with university students from across the Ankole sub-region to discuss the Party’s achievements and its long-term plans for young Ugandans. The interactive session, held at Audit Mall in Mbarara City, attracted hundreds of enthusiastic students representing various institutions of higher learning.

The dialogue is part of the NRM Secretariat’s ongoing effort to deepen ideological clarity, strengthen political mobilization, and amplify youth participation ahead of the 2026 general elections.

In his address, Todwong emphasized the central role of young people in shaping Uganda’s political and economic future. He noted that the NRM’s development agenda can only succeed when the country’s youthful population is well-informed, empowered, and actively engaged in policy discourse.

He highlighted that Uganda’s demographic profile—where over 70% of the population is below 35—places youth at the center of national decision-making.

“Our goal is to ensure that young people understand where the country has come from, what the NRM has achieved, and where we are going as a nation. The future belongs to you, and we want you to take part in building it,” Todwong told the students.

During the meeting, Todwong outlined key milestones achieved under the NRM government, particularly those that have shaped the livelihoods of youth. These include:

Expansion of educational institutions, enabling thousands of young people to access higher education.

Infrastructure development, including roads, electricity extension, and digital connectivity, which continue to open job opportunities and support innovation.

Youth livelihood initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and other entrepreneurship programs designed to build financial independence among young Ugandans.

Peace and stability, which he emphasized as the foundation for all development programs the youth benefit from today.

The Secretary General underscored that these achievements are evidence of a government committed to long-term progress rather than short-term populism.

The meeting was highly interactive, with students raising questions on governance, job creation, innovation, political inclusion, and economic transformation. Many sought clarity on how the Party intends to further expand opportunities for graduates entering a competitive job market.

Students also expressed interest in understanding how they can influence policy formulation, participate in leadership, and benefit from ongoing government programmes.

Todwong welcomed their questions, assuring the young participants that the NRM is deliberately creating more avenues for youth involvement—both in leadership and in the economic sector.

“We need your fresh ideas, your energy, and your curiosity. The NRM is evolving, and your voices are critical in defining the next phase of governance,” he noted.

The gathering at Audit Mall serves as part of a broader youth engagement drive by the NRM Secretariat. These conversations are aimed at closing the information gap, building trust, and ensuring that the promises and actions of government align with the aspirations of young people.

Local leaders from Mbarara City and the Ankole sub-region also graced the event. They commended Todwong for opening up platforms where leaders and youth meet directly, without intermediaries, to exchange ideas on national development.

In closing, Todwong encouraged students to remain focused, patriotic, and proactive. He urged them to use their education to innovate solutions for their communities while embracing government programmes designed to uplift them.

He reiterated that the NRM remains committed to a Uganda where the youth are not merely beneficiaries of development programs but active drivers of socio-economic transformation.

The successful turnout and enthusiasm at Audit Mall reflect a growing interest among young Ugandans to participate in political and development discourse—an indication that such engagements will continue to play a key role in shaping the country’s future trajectory.