The NRM National Treasurer and Bukedi Sub-region Team Leader, Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo, has called on party leaders in Bukedi to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure active participation in the forthcoming Local Council and Village Women Council elections.
Addressing party leaders during the Bukedi Sub-region entry meeting held at Marple Cottages in Kamonkoli Town Council, Budaka District, Ambassador Barbara described the gathering as a convergence of the region’s top party and political leaders, including Members of Parliament, LCV chairpersons, and leaders from various party structures.
She appreciated the people of Bukedi for their contribution to the victory of the NRM National Chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, noting that the region’s support played a significant role in the party’s performance.
Ambassador Barbara said the forthcoming grassroots elections present an opportunity to consolidate that victory by ensuring the party’s strength remains firmly anchored at the village level.
She emphasised that the NRM has decided not to leave the grassroots to chance, saying the village remains the foundation of the party’s organisation, mobilisation, and connection with the people.
“The NRM has decided not to leave the village to whom it may concern. The village is where our strength begins, and we must remain connected with our people through strong grassroots structures.”
She explained that although national elections attract significant attention, Local Council elections are equally important because they are directly linked to service delivery and the daily lives of citizens.
She noted that while national leaders provide policy direction and allocate resources, the actual implementation of government programmes takes place at the local level, making strong grassroots leadership essential.
Ambassador Barbara also referred to the message from the NRM National Chairman, saying it reminds party leaders of the historical importance of grassroots structures in the movement’s journey.
She explained that during the liberation struggle, Village Revolutionary Councils played critical roles in mobilisation, information gathering, community organisation, local security, and civilian administration. She noted that these responsibilities continue today through the Local Council structures, which remain a vital link between communities and the government.
She further highlighted the importance of organised village structures in promoting government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and ensuring that leaders remain aware of the challenges affecting their communities.
The NRM National Treasurer urged leaders to use the village barazas scheduled for 22 July 2026 as a platform to mobilise support for the party’s flag bearers in both the LC1 and Village Women Council elections.
She noted that the barazas will provide an opportunity for communities to meet and get to know the party’s candidates ahead of the elections scheduled for 23 July 2026 for the Village Women Councils and 28 July 2026 for LC1 chairpersons.
Ambassador Barbara challenged leaders to leave their comfort zones and return to the grassroots, emphasising that mobilisation must be conducted in a way that enables people to understand and embrace the party’s message.
“Let us leave comfort aside and go back to our people. We must communicate the message in languages and forms that the people at the grassroots understand and can relate to.”
The meeting brought together Members of Parliament, LCV chairpersons, party leaders from different structures, and other stakeholders from across the Bukedi Sub-region to harmonise mobilisation strategies ahead of the grassroots elections.
Also in attendance was the Bukedi Sub-regional Coordinator, Mr Rogers Mulindwa, who also serves as the Senior Manager for Communication and Media, together with members of the sub-regional team and other staff deployed by the party to support oversight, coordination, and mobilisation activities in the region.
The Bukedi engagement was part of a nationwide exercise in which NRM sub-regional teams conducted similar entry meetings across the country to coordinate party structures, strengthen mobilisation efforts, and prepare for the forthcoming Local Council elections.
The party aims to maximise participation in the grassroots elections by ensuring its structures remain active, organised, and connected with communities from the village level upwards.
