First Lady calls for NRM intensified grassroot mobilisation

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The First Lady and Ntungamo District NRM Chairperson, Mrs Janet Museveni, has rallied NRM mobilisation groups across Ntungamo District to strengthen grassroots voter mobilisation to ensure massive turnout come election day on January 15, 2025.

She made the call last week while addressing representatives drawn from 26 organised voluntary NRM mobilisation groups within Ntungamo district, whom she hosted at her country residence at Irenga on Thursday.

These mobilisation teams, rooted in the “Niyekundire” spirit of patriotism and sacrifice, have been recognised by the Ntungamo NRM District Executive Committee (D.E.C.) as having demonstrated exceptional dedication to the cause of mobilising for the NRM Party.

In her remarks, Maama Janet commended the mobilisers for their unwavering dedication, resilience and discipline in advancing the NRM’s agenda at the grassroots. “All of you have an inner strength that cannot be uprooted. A determined person does not lose hope,” she said.

“The three months of mobilisation for the elections decide the next five years for our country. Prepare yourselves to make sacrifices for your homeland; wake up early, walk long distances, leave your animals for a while if you must,” she urged.

A release from her office states that the First Lady emphasised the importance of unity, integrity, and unwavering commitment, noting that Uganda’s development progress, from infrastructure to key social services, over these years under the NRM administration led by President Yoweri Museveni, must be safeguarded through continued deliberate political action, especially at the village and parish levels.

Mrs Museveni reminded the mobilisers that considerable progress has been made by the NRM administration by putting in place the bricks within the foundation for a stable Uganda, as well as building on that foundation through development in various sectors of the economy.

What now remains, she added, is to attain the desired level of socio-economic transformation in our homeland.

A release from her office states that many of those present at the meeting represent a generation born after the NRA/NRM liberation struggle and decried the fact that many young people do not have a good grasp of where Uganda has come from to appreciate what it took to get where we are. She reminded the young generations that they are not only the beneficiaries, but also products of the peace, socio-economic development, and stability ushered in by the NRM.

“We have come through difficult times as a country. Many young people not only take it for granted but also consider it a given with little regard to the history of how Uganda got itself into where it was those days. What you see today are the fruits of a long journey that took many people shedding their blood and losing their lives, to restore hope to this nation,” the First Lady stated.

Mrs Museveni challenged the mobilisers – most of them young people, not to remain spectators, but to step forward and champion the message of national unity, progress, and continuity of development and socio-economic transformation amidst predictable stability. “Mobilise responsibly, engage eligible voters, and strengthen unity at every level,” she stressed. “It is your turn to protect the peace and stability that you have inherited,” she urged.

She emphasised discipline, integrity of the electoral process, and targeted engagement with eligible voters. “Reach out to the elderly, the youth, and everyone within your Village or Cell that is 18 years of age and above, remind them to come out in large numbers and vote for the NRM Presidential candidate and all the Party’s flagbearers on 15th January 2025,’ Mrs Museveni urged.

Mrs Museveni also cautioned against voter complacency that arises from the massive rallies that the NRM Presidential flagbearer,  President Yoweri Museveni, is drawing wherever he has been. “Do what is right. Work with students, pastors, workers, and families. Show them that NRM stands for peace and opportunity, and that these can be protected when each one of you comes out and casts his or her ballot on voting day!”

She also urged them to mentor young people and first-time voters, insisting that anyone 18 years and above must be brought into the election process and guided to use their vote wisely and to avoid being misled by outsiders. Mrs Museveni cautioned against overdependence on donors, calling on Ugandans to learn to solve their own problems and appreciate the relative stability the country enjoys compared to other African nations.

Ntungamo District NRM Vice Chairperson, Yona Musinguzi, commended the mobilisation groups for their resilience and continued work in advancing the NRM message across the district.

He said the mobilisation network in the district was committed to implementing all its planned mobilisation work to achieve the 100 percent target that Ntungamo has set itself. Using a local proverb, Musinguzi reiterated the First Lady’s message of guarding against NRM voter complacency by reminding the mobilizers that the vote to be counted is that which has been cast, and not simply what is expected.

The representatives of the 26 mobilisation groups, including youth, women, elders, professionals, businesspeople, civil society, and faith-based leaders, presented their various plans on how they intend to mobilise and consolidate NRM’s support in all five constituencies of Ntungamo district.

Other dignitaries at the meeting included the NRM flagbearers for Member of Parliament, namely: Yona Musinguzi (Ntungamo Municipality), Beatrice Rwakimaari (Ruhaama), Moses Kahima (Ruhaama East), Hunter Byanjeru Tukahiirwa (Kajara), and Viola Namanya (District Woman MP), as well as the NRM flagbearer for LCV Chairperson, Sam Mucunguzi Rwakigoba.