By KT Reporter
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has concluded the training of 8,883 village mobilization team members drawn from all 141 villages in Jinja City, as part of its new grassroots campaign strategy.
Under the 2024 campaign plan, district executive committees are tasked with identifying 63 party leaders from each village to spearhead voter mobilization for President Yoweri Museveni and other NRM candidates.
Each of these 63 leaders is expected to recruit at least five additional supporters within their areas of influence, beginning with their families. Party officials estimate that the approach could generate a start-up voter base of about 44,415 supporters in Jinja City alone.
Jinja City NRM chairperson Edrine Lufafa said the model approved by the party’s top leadership is designed to boost confidence among local leaders and ensure sustained engagement with voters.
He emphasized that village leaders, who interact closely with residents, are better positioned to canvas effectively.
Asuman Kambo, the party’s city administrator, said the mobilization teams are being equipped with information on government achievements in sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.
He noted that many residents remain unaware of these developments and believes that targeted community outreach will enhance the party’s appeal.
NRM members like Rose Kalikwani have welcomed the strategy, describing it as a “magic bullet” that enables direct, door-to-door engagement—unlike previous election cycles where Kampala-based mobilizers conducted brief outdoor rallies before moving on. However, some concerns remain.
Fauza Namiiro said persistent intrigue and reluctance among some candidates to campaign jointly, which she said undermines party unity.
Lufafa acknowledged the challenge but noted that routine harmonization meetings have improved coordination over the past three weeks.
NRM lost Jinja City to the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the 2021 polls, where NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine secured 43,920 votes against President Museveni’s 21,202.
NUP also won the Woman MP seat, while the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) took two constituencies, leaving NRM with just one parliamentary position. Lufafa expressed confidence that the revamped grassroots mobilization approach will bolster voter turnout and help the party reclaim the city in the upcoming elections.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
