The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has intensified its early campaign momentum in Sironko District, holding a massive mobilisation rally that brought together over 10,000 grassroots leaders as the party moves to consolidate support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The high-energy gathering, held at Mafudu Primary School playgrounds, was convened by the NRM Secretariat and attracted village chairpersons, flag bearers, and mobilisers from all 568 villages of Sironko. The event began with performances from top Ugandan artists before turning into a serious political forum focused on rebuilding party unity and addressing declining presidential support in the district.
NRM Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja emphasized that the mobilisation was not just about championing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s candidacy, but also strengthening all NRM structures ahead of the elections.
“As we seek survival as individuals within the NRM, we must understand that the survival of the system is much more important,” she said, urging members to bury personal differences and rally behind the party’s shared vision.
The meeting exposed underlying divisions within the local leadership, with several speakers accusing district party officials of fueling disunity and failing to support grassroots mobilisation. Concerns were raised over the persistent challenge of NRM members who, after losing primaries, choose to contest as independents a trend many argued has cost the party valuable votes.
Ambassador Barbara Oundo cautioned leaders against quietly backing independents, warning that such actions weaken the movement’s foundation.
“You are doing a disservice to the party,” she said. “We cannot build a system or government where you only have a president but no supporting structures.”
Despite the internal wrangles, Namayanja expressed confidence that the new strategy which assigns over 3,000 village leaders to deliver at least five votes each would help the NRM reclaim dominance in Sironko.
The party’s revitalised drive in the district is part of a broader national mobilisation effort spearheaded by the NRM Secretariat to strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure early preparation ahead of 2026.
Whether these renewed efforts will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but Saturday’s massive turnout in Sironko reflected both the enthusiasm and urgency within the ruling party as it seeks to tighten its grip on support in eastern Uganda.
