NRM Secretary General Todwong Issues Fresh Guidelines on Facilitation of Village Leaders in Parish-Based Mobilization Meetings

Kampala, Uganda —

The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, has issued a firm directive to all District and City Chairpersons, Grassroot Mobilization Sub-Regional Team Leaders, Coordinators, and District Administrative Secretaries, instructing them to strictly adhere to the rules governing facilitation and composition of leaders attending parish-based mobilization meetings.

In a detailed memo dated December 11, 2025, Todwong expressed gratitude to district leaders for steering the ongoing nationwide grassroots mobilization campaign. However, he raised concerns over reported irregularities and deviations from the established guidelines.

Emphasis on Approved Composition of Leaders

Todwong reiterated that only the officially recognized 63 village leaders from each village are authorized to participate in the parish mobilization planning meetings. He firmly cautioned against any form of co-option or unauthorized inclusion of individuals outside the listed leadership structures.

According to the memo, the 63 eligible leaders include:

30 NRM Village Committee Members

9 LC1 Committee Members

9 Village Youth Council Committee Members

5 Village Women Council Committee Members

5 Village Older Persons Council Committee Members

5 Village PWDs Council Committee Members

He stressed that reports of people outside these categories being invited are unacceptable and must cease immediately.

Flag Bearers Can Attend, Not Coordinate

The Secretary General clarified that NRM flag bearers—both at Local Government and Parliamentary levels—are free to attend and even address the meetings. However, they must not get involved in coordination or organizational roles, which remain under the authority of the presiding officers.

Concerns Over Facilitation Funds

Todwong also addressed growing concerns regarding the distribution of facilitation funds meant for village mobilization teams. He noted that some presiding officers have been accused of only paying leaders who physically attend the meetings, despite funds being allocated for the full composition of 63 leaders per village.

This practice, he said, disenfranchises village leaders who are unable to attend due to genuine reasons but remain part of the mobilization structure. The Secretary General questioned where the remaining funds are going if not to the intended beneficiaries.

New Directive on Payment Process

To ensure transparency and accountability, Todwong issued new operational guidance:

Presiding officers (12 NRM District Executive Committee members) must hand over the entire facilitation package—Shs. 630,000 per village—directly to each Village Chairperson.

Village Chairpersons will then distribute the Shs. 10,000 per leader to all 63 members of their village teams.

For leaders who miss the meeting, the Village Chairperson must deliver the funds to them later.

If a leader holds more than one position and therefore qualifies for fewer payouts, the remaining funds should be reinvested into further mobilization activities within that village.

Todwong emphasized that this approach reinforces accountability and ensures that every designated leader benefits from the facilitation as intended.

Call for Discipline and Alignment

The Secretary General urged all NRM leaders to remain disciplined and operate squarely within the provided guidelines. He highlighted that strict adherence is critical to achieving the objectives of the grassroots mobilization campaign and strengthening the NRM’s foothold at the village level across the country.

“Let us stay operating within the given guidelines to ensure alignment to the objectives of the exercise and make a strong print of the NRM Party on the lowest grassroots level,” he wrote. “Together, victory belongs to us.”