NRM National Treasurer Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo has urged party leaders in the Bukedi sub-region to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure active participation in the forthcoming Local Council One (LC1) and Village Women Council elections.
Speaking during the Bukedi sub-region entry meeting at Marple Cottages in Kamonkoli Town Council, Budaka District, Nekesa said the gathering brought together the region's top party and political leaders, including Members of Parliament, district chairpersons and officials from various NRM structures, to coordinate mobilisation ahead of the polls.
She commended the people of Bukedi for their support of President Museveni and the NRM during the 2026 general elections, saying the region had contributed significantly to the party's victory.
Nekesa said the upcoming grassroots elections provide an opportunity to consolidate that support by strengthening the party's structures at the village level.
"The NRM has decided not to leave the village to whom it may concern. The village is where our strength begins, and we must remain connected with our people through strong grassroots structures," she said.
She emphasised that although national elections often attract greater attention, Local Council elections are equally important because they directly influence service delivery and the implementation of government programmes.
While national leaders formulate policies and allocate resources, she said, effective grassroots leadership ensures those programmes reach communities.
Referring to the message of NRM National Chairman Museveni, Nekesa reminded party leaders of the historical role grassroots structures have played within the movement.
She said the Village Revolutionary Councils during the liberation struggle were responsible for mobilisation, information gathering, local security and civilian administration, responsibilities now carried out through the Local Council system.
Nekesa added that organised village leadership is essential in promoting government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and ensuring leaders remain informed about challenges affecting communities.
She urged party leaders to use the village barazas scheduled for July 22 to mobilise support for NRM flag bearers ahead of the Village Women Council elections on July 23 and the LC1 chairperson elections on July 28.
"Let us leave comfort aside and go back to our people. We must communicate the message in languages and forms that the people at the grassroots understand and can relate to," she said.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament, district chairpersons, party leaders from various structures and other stakeholders from across the Bukedi sub-region.
Also present were Bukedi Sub-regional Coordinator Rogers Mulindwa, who also serves as the NRM Senior Manager for Communication and Media, members of the sub-regional team and other party staff deployed to coordinate mobilisation activities.
The Bukedi engagement formed part of a nationwide mobilisation exercise in which NRM sub-regional teams are holding similar meetings across the country to strengthen party structures and prepare for the forthcoming grassroots elections.
