By Edgar Barigye Kugonza,
I am not sure whether my NRM party needs my advice but if it does, then as its all-time grassroots-based ardent mobilizer and voter I would advise it to first put much emphasis on support mobilization before the political climate heats up rather than this dust-raising votes protection team building exercise.
A few days ago I received a call from the NRM village Chairman asking me whether I would appreciate being on the NRM vote protection team in 2026 and my answer was/is yes, I am willing but my concern remains; are we sure at this time of political season the emphasis should be put on votes protection? This is because, in spite of the massive support that the party has been enjoying in the past, the NRM’s challenge hasn’t been largely ridging by opposition.
Our NRM problem emanates from poor coordination, lousy mobilization and failure to consolidate our bruised success within the first hours of our victory. You can’t protect what hasn’t been mobilized because we wouldn’t want to create a scenario where people sit to prepare meat roasting sticks before the hunters go for hunting. The Banyankore call it “Okutera enduru y’okukwata ensenene zitakagwire” literally meaning “making an alarm calling people to come and catch grasshoppers before the grasshoppers actually arrive.” This is the reason I think it should be a massive mobilization of votes first and protection of votes thereafter.
I still think ghetto youth being skilful at using their situation to get what they don’t have, could have tactfully sat down and properly used the convincing narrative of votes ridging as their entry point to achieve their objective hence causing unnecessary panic and unprecedented adjustments in our political mobilization.
Whereas it’s now understandable that the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) quest to revitalize its presence in the Buganda, Eastern and Northern Uganda regions is on its number one agenda let come 2026 elections, my party should learn to timely embrace free advice from village based people like us who aren’t even on its payroll. So, allow me to come in peace and I give some advice to my party maybe it can be of help. For NRM to register a landslide victory in 2026, this time it must adopt a multifaceted approach, addressing historical grievances, embracing diversity, and leveraging technology. By doing so, the NRM can reinvigorate its base, attract new supporters and solidify its position as a champion of Ugandan democracy.
Acknowledging past mistakes. Acknowledging past mistakes is a vital step towards reconciliation and growth. President Museveni’s healing apology he made recently in Northern Uganda demonstrated the party’s commitment to accountability and empathy. Similar initiatives should be undertaken in other regions, fostering a culture of transparency and responsibility.
This may include; establishing truth-telling mechanisms, providing reparations, and ensuring justice for past atrocities. There are even some known NRM historicals or those who have consistently stood with the party, voted it all the time and would appreciate just a simple word “thank you”. We have party village chairpersons who need to be appreciated for their outstanding performances even if it is just a certificate of appreciation signed by our beloved President. That would be enough and it’s not difficult but I don’t know why?
Some of these local party diehards would appreciate their party structures to stand with them during the untimely loss of their loved ones, the times of medical challenges. At times it hurts them to see quick help or lump sums of money going to the people who are known for opposing the party. Some people have been robbed by the very people who are supposed to bring them to NRM party and now they have no where to run to because those are the same people who must pass through to access the President again.
A case in point is an ageing maama here in Makindye Division, Kampala who got injured during one of the past presidential campaigns, and President Museveni got to know about her plight, compensated her with 10,000,000/= but she was forced either to sign for only 100,000/= or lose it too. This aging and weak maama up to now is there still crying for her compensation. How do I mobilize her and her family members without telling her that President Museveni now wants you to tell him the name of the person who robbed you? I personally think by confronting its past, our NRM party can rebuild trust and credibility that is needed for 2026 landslide victory.
Our ageing party structures should embrace change and diversity. When I was still young in 1990s, my father Mr Edward Kugonza of Karindiro, Kashangura couldn’t allow me to sit on the same table and exchange ideas with him on various issues. However, when I grew up and became a man, my father changed his mindset, invited me on our family table and started enjoying our man to man conversations. We talk; laugh and at times disagree but still remain as a family.
The ageing NRM structures should know that times have changed and now the youth they have groomed have issues to share with them for the betterment of our NRM party banange. This is because embracing change and diversity is essential for the NRM’s survival in 2026 and beyond. So, traditional party structures must incorporate fresh perspectives, ideas, and energies. This includes engaging youth, women, and marginalized communities in decision-making processes. By promoting inclusivity, the NRM party can tap into Uganda’s rich cultural diversity, foster creative problem-solving, and develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges.
Leveraging Social Media. In today’s digital age, social media is a critical tool for political mobilization. With 75% of Uganda’s politically active youth online, the NRM must develop a robust digital presence. This includes creating engaging content, leveraging influencers, and utilizing data analytics to inform campaign strategies. By harnessing social media’s potential, the NRM can amplify its message, connect with voters, and counter opposition narratives.
Sustainable Pressure Groups. I have talked about this previously and I will continue talking about it until we see its value. We all know that sustainable pressure groups are vital for the NRM’s long-term success. However, these groups should prove to us that they are able to operate beyond election periods, foster meaningful relationships with communities and address local concerns. This would include; providing economic empowerment programs, healthcare initiatives, and education support. By establishing lasting connections through its pressure groups, the NRM can demonstrate its commitment to Ugandans’ well-being and build a loyal support base for ages and ages just like Chama Cha Mapinduzi(CCM) in the Republic of Tanzania is doing. It’s not about to retire because it’s the peoples’ party of all times.
Effective Strategy and Competent Candidates. Fielding competent candidates is crucial for the NRM’s electoral success. This will require our NRM party to identify knowledgeable, vibrant, and charismatic leaders who can connect with diverse constituencies. Candidates should be oriented to canvass support humbly and effectively, listening to voters’ concerns and articulating a compelling vision for Uganda’s future.
Ensuring peaceful elections. We should not forget that even when NRM party is participating in elections like any other political players it has a constitutional mandate to protect Ugandans in all the ways possible until it hands it over to the next government that will have won the elections. Therefore allowing just a cross section of bad elements to threaten others to the extent of depriving them from their democratic right to vote, to me is a humiliation to the entire government. There is a need for multifaceted approach to ensure peaceful elections in 2026. Preventing all kinds of hate speech and misinformation, comprehensive and voter education and awareness, security and safety measures, and collaboration and communication are key strategies. Additionally, the NRM needs to engage opposition parties in dialogue, foster media literacy, and support conflict resolution initiatives.
Timely support for our NRM flag bearers; Timely support for flag bearers is critical for electoral success. The NRM secretariat should timely and wholeheartedly provide financial resources, logistical backing, and strategic guidance to enable candidates to launch campaigns promptly. This includes training candidates in effective communication, campaign management, and voter engagement.
In conclusion, as you can see, we people who are on ground know that there are some issues which our NRM party needs to address first and faster before it thinks of a comprehensive votes protection strategy. So, by adding up those itching issues together, NRM can revitalize its connection with supporters and build a stronger foundation for the future. This will ultimately garner for us votes which will make the work of vote’s protection teams worthy.
The writer is CEO Pamoja Communal Empowerment Network / [email protected]
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