The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has intensified its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2026 general elections, unveiling a parish–based strategy that senior party leaders say is designed to “activate every village structure” and ensure President Yoweri Museveni’s message reaches all corners of the country.
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja said the party is now operating on a three–fold mobilisation model consisting of rallies, parish–based activation, and last–mile door–to–door campaigns.
Namayanja explained that teams of leaders and cadres from various sub–regions have already embarked on pre–entry meetings across their respective districts to align local structures with the national campaign message.
“We are interacting with NRM leaders at every level. Leaders meet at the parish and receive a direct message from the Secretary General, including guidance on how to conduct door–to–door campaigns,” she said.
She added that all 66 village leaders in each parish will be activated to carry out village–to–village and person–to–person mobilisation. “We are confident that by the end of this exercise, all our structures will be fully ready to lead grassroots mobilisation.”
NRM National Treasurer and Bukedi sub–region team leader, Barbara Nekesa Oundo, emphasised that the party’s preparations for 2026 have been deliberate and long-term.
“When it comes to NRM gains, nothing is accidental. The party started planning for the 2026 victory way back in February 2024,” Nekesa said.
She outlined early activities including display and updating of the party membership register, renewal of party structures, and the recently concluded primaries.
According to her, the parish–based strategy is meant to reinforce support in areas President Museveni has already visited.
“The main objective is to ensure that districts where the President has been do not relax. We must continue explaining and rallying the public until the very last day,” she said. “This is a structure-led campaign, and we appeal to district leaders to continue propelling the President’s message.”
She added that President Museveni is committed to “defending the crown of the NRM” and will complete his nationwide campaign trail according to the official schedule.
Nekesa said the strategy is aimed at amplifying the President’s messages beyond district-level engagements.
“We know the President visits a district, but we cannot leave the message at that level. It has to reach villages, households, and individuals — that is the purpose of this strategy.”
NRM Director for Mobilisation, Rosemary Sseninde, said the parish initiative provides an inclusive platform for all party leaders and supporters to participate.
“In the past, some people complained that they were not given the opportunity to campaign for him,” she said. “The parish-based strategy brings everyone on board to rally support for Mzee.”
As Museveni continues his campaign trail, the party says the grassroots structure will ensure that messages delivered at district rallies are swiftly cascaded to parishes and villages.
The NRM leadership insists the parish mobilisation drive is central to consolidating support and strengthening its organisational base as the country heads into the crucial 2026 polls.