The National Resistance Movement Youth League, led by national chairperson Collins Tanga, has distributed 18 motorcycles to active youth mobilisers across districts in the Ankole and Kigezi sub-regions as part of preparations for the January 15 elections.
The beneficiaries were drawn from districts including Isingiro, Mbarara, Sheema, Rukungiri, Bushenyi and Rukiga, as well as Mbarara City.
The distribution took place on Friday night in Mbarara City and targeted mobilisers serving within the NRM district youth structures.
Speaking to The Nile Post, Tanga said the motorcycles were intended to enhance grassroots mobilisation for the party’s presidential candidate and other flag bearers.
“We have given 18 motorcycles covering Kigezi-Ankole and have been given to active mobilisers in our districts. One motorcycle per district, we seasoned out one patriotic and active mobiliser and we have offered them one motorcycle to go and speed up mobilisation,” Tanga said.
He added that the party would closely monitor the use of the motorcycles to ensure they are deployed effectively during the final days of the campaign.
“We are determined, we will follow up. These motorcycles have trackers and on the final day, these motorcycles are to show so much activity. They will be picking our elderly to the polling stations. Our mobilisers have the zeal in them,” he said.
Tanga clarified that the motorcycles were not allocated based on positions such as district chairperson or secretary, but strictly on demonstrated mobilisation activity within the NRM youth league structures.
“We didn’t look at chairperson or sub-county this or that but active mobilisers so long as they are within our youthful and youth league structure,” he said.
On fuel arrangements, Tanga said the responsibility currently lies with the recipients, whom he described as patriotic party supporters.
“With the NRM, our people are economically transformed and they will be patriotic, so why wouldn’t they fuel these bikes so they will pick as many as they can for the presidential candidate. But as days draw close, you never know, we may mobilise resources to have these bikes fueled on that day with full tanks,” he added.
NRM Youth Chairperson for Mbarara City Johnson Ainemnabazi welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen mobilisation efforts in hard-to-reach areas.
“We shall easily access the deep corners of Mbarara City, so that we give Mzee the target percentage,” Ainemnabazi said.
Rubaya Sub-county Youth Chairperson in Mbarara District Racheal Asasira also praised the move, citing long-standing transport challenges faced by youth mobilisers.
“For so long, we have had challenges with means of transport in mobilisation. It is thoughtful of him as the youth of this country to try to make sure we get these motorcycles,” Asasira said.
She pledged strong electoral returns for the ruling party, saying groundwork had already been laid.
“We promise the President and our flag bearers that we shall do the required and the results shall be seen on January 15. We don’t mind about the remaining days, we have been on ground and we have created an impact,” she said.
