The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Deputy Secretary General, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, on Friday intensified grassroots mobilisation campaigns for the party’s Woman MP flag bearer, Idah Nabayiga, ahead of the Kalangala by-election.
Namayanja addressed village-to-village mobilisation meetings in Bumangi and Bugoma villages in Mugoye Sub-county, urging residents to support Nabayiga and elect leaders who can effectively work with government to secure development projects and public services.
She was accompanied by Bujumba County Member of Parliament William Lugoloobi and other party leaders.
Speaking to residents in Bumangi, Namayanja thanked the people of Kalangala for their continued support for President Museveni and the NRM, saying the party remains a strong political force in Buganda despite stiff competition.
She said communities benefit most when they elect leaders who understand government systems and can effectively engage institutions to influence decision-making and attract development.
"When people vote against leaders who can directly engage with government structures, it is not the President who loses. The biggest loss is felt by the communities themselves because development programmes and services are delivered through government systems," Namayanja said.
Namayanja claimed that some projects initiated during Nabayiga’s previous tenure as Woman MP before 2021 slowed down after she left Parliament, arguing that Kalangala would have recorded more progress had she remained in office.
She said leaders must not only highlight challenges affecting their communities but also work closely with government to find lasting solutions.
"Our people need better roads, schools, health facilities, clean water and improved livelihoods. These are achieved when leaders actively lobby government and ensure community priorities are included in national planning and budgeting," she said.
Namayanja explained that government resources are allocated through the national budgeting process, where issues raised by legislators are discussed through parliamentary structures before being considered by Cabinet and Parliament.
She described Nabayiga as an experienced leader who understands Kalangala’s unique challenges and is capable of advancing the district’s development agenda if elected.
"We are asking you to vote for a leader who understands the job and what is required of her. As the party in government, we are ready to work closely with Hon. Nabayiga to ensure Kalangala receives the services and development it deserves," Namayanja said.
She also called on NRM supporters to remain united and actively participate in grassroots mobilisation, saying the party’s strength lies in reaching voters at village level.
"The role of every NRM supporter is to strengthen the party and persuade others to join us. Many who are now serving in the NRM once belonged to other political parties. We do not want any part of Kalangala to lag behind in development," she said.
Namayanja noted that the Woman MP seat remains vacant within the NRM Parliamentary Caucus and urged voters to fill the gap by electing Nabayiga.
She further assured residents that government remains committed to addressing challenges affecting island and fishing communities.
Bujumba County MP William Lugoloobi described Nabayiga as the missing link in the district’s NRM Parliamentary team, saying her election would enable the party’s representatives to work together in pushing for major government projects.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for a major NRM rally in Kalangala on Monday, where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to officially hand over the party flag to Nabayiga as part of the campaign drive.
The President’s visit will cap several days of intensive village-to-village mobilisation by senior NRM leaders who have been in the district campaigning for the party candidate ahead of the by-election.