Butaleja, Uganda: Newly elected National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in the Bugisu sub-region have been urged to immediately shift focus from electioneering to service delivery, accountability and poverty alleviation, following the party’s strong performance in the 2026 general elections.
The call was made during a post-election appreciation and reconciliation meeting hosted on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by Emmanuel Dombo, the NRM Director of Communications and chief mobiliser for Bugisu, at his residence in Butaleja District. The meeting brought together MPs-elect, LC5 chairpersons-elect, district NRM executives and grassroots mobilisers.
Dombo thanked the Bugisu Region Task Team for securing victories across the sub-region and maintaining a peaceful campaign environment, saying the post-election period must now be defined by unity and delivery on commitments made to voters.
“We have documented all the presidential pledges made during campaigns, and we have engaged the MPs-elect to coordinate follow-up as implementation begins,” Dombo said.
He cautioned leaders against internal competition for ministerial appointments, noting that positions are limited and remain the President’s prerogative. Dombo said leaders not appointed to Cabinet still have a duty to work with government institutions to ensure pledged projects are delivered, urging unity to “build NRM, not individuals.”
Guest of honour Dr. Rosemary Sseninde, the NRM Director for Mobilisation, told leaders to immediately start working for the electorate that entrusted them with power.
“President Museveni has done his part by guaranteeing peace, security and stability. That is the foundation we must use to change mindsets, promote hard work and help our people exit poverty,” Sseninde said, warning leaders against abusing office and reminding them that public accountability remains central to the NRM ideology.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Tanga Odoi urged elected leaders to remain visible and connected to their voters, saying political survival begins the day one assumes office.
“The day you enter Parliament is the first day you start preparing for defeat if you don’t go back to the people,” Odoi said, advising leaders to attend community activities and avoid publicly criticising government while serving on the NRM ticket, which he said could trigger recall.
Newly elected Namisindwa District LC5 Chairperson Emma Bwayo, who defeated an incumbent, thanked Dombo for convening the meeting and called for similar engagements at district level to consolidate unity and mobilisation.
He highlighted Bugisu’s unique challenges, including landslides, natural disasters, national park boundary disputes and hard-to-reach communities, proposing special funding mechanisms or a dedicated Bugisu affairs framework.
Kabweri MP-elect Patrick Wakida Godfrey reflected on his political journey and praised improved NRM performance in the sub-region. He framed poverty reduction as improving access to social services to prevent households from selling productive assets during crises, emphasising productivity and household income retention.
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