NRM mobilizers from Kampala’s five divisions on Thursday evening went to the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) in Kyambogo, expressing dissatisfaction over their exclusion from preparations for the presidential swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday.
The mobilizers questioned why they had not been contacted or involved in the planning process, noting their active participation from the start of the TovaKuMain campaign through to what they described as victory.
“We have been on the ground from the beginning of the TovaKuMain campaign through to victory. Why are we being left out now?” one of the mobilizers said.
They appealed to be included, citing their extensive door-to-door mobilization efforts, and requested an opportunity to meet the President. The group urged that they not be sidelined, saying: “Do not sideline us at this time of reaping, yet we were at the forefront of vote hunting.”
In response, the manager of the Office of the National Chairman, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, thanked them for their support and loyalty to President Museveni.
“Thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty to the President-elect,” Hajjat Namyalo said.
She clarified that a National Organizing Committee is handling the swearing-in preparations and indicated that mobilizers could be considered under the allocation of 50 representatives from each district.
Hajjat Namyalo further noted that she had briefed the President on the matter and was advised to source mobilization funds from the Secretariat, where the event budget is managed, as no mobilization funds had been allocated to her office.
“I have already briefed the President on this matter, and I was advised to engage the Secretariat since that is where the budget is held,” she said.
She pledged to do everything within her power to ensure the mobilizers are incorporated and that available resources are fairly shared.
“I will do everything within my means to ensure you are considered and that whatever is available is shared fairly,” she added.
She also appealed for calm and patience, reassuring the group that the President does not forget his supporters and that their efforts will be recognized in due course.
