Grassroots mobilizers elected Members of Parliament and district chairpersons from districts in Bugisu sub-region have pledged to work together in the new government following the just concluded elections.
The leaders made the joint resolution during an event hosted by Emmanuel Dombo, the Director of Information and Publicity at the National Resistance Movement Secretariat. Hon Dombo hosted grassroots mobilisers, MPs-elect and district leaders from the Bugisu sub-region at his home to celebrate the party’s strong performance and to chart the way forward.
Presiding over the function as chief guest, Hon Rosemary Sseninde, the director Mobilisation and cadre encouraged the leaders to maintain humility and people-centred leadership. She cautioned against seeking accolades by diminishing others, urging leaders to “keep it simple” and return to what citizens want.
She explained that at the beginning of the campaigns, the party adopted a scientific, structure-led approach, working closely with district structures, mapping voters, and using targeted mobilization, to consolidate support. She argued that future planning must start early, noting operational lessons such as equipment failures at some polling stations and the need to strengthen vote protection.
Addressing the gathering, Dombo, who chaired t he Bugisu sub-region Mobilisation team, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for deploying both the Secretariat and regional teams to ensure delivery during the electoral cycle, saying early intervention helped “nip issues in the bud” and improve coordination and resource management.
“Bugisu delivered,” Dombo said, describing leaders in the sub-region as “members of the same family” who have worked together since the NRM register exercise. He acknowledged the area’s challenging terrain, spanning highlands and lowlands, but said teamwork had been decisive.
Turning to governance after victory, Dombo urged MPs-elect to prioritise coordination and networking as a method of work. “Resources are not enough on their own, but when we work jointly, delivery becomes easier,” he noted, pointing to collaboration with district leaders and Parliament committee chairpersons as a practical way to accelerate service delivery.
NRM electoral commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi called for unity and discipline, warning against destructive competition within the party. “Manage ambitions. Not everybody can be a minister. Those who make it should be tools of service delivery,” Tanga said.
Dombo welcomed the newly elected leaders to his home stating that he would continue offering guidance, drawing on his two decades of parliamentary experience. “How you work with people over five years can determine how your entire term works.”
Dombo also encouraged leaders to use dialogue to resolve internal tensions. “Welcome home to discuss issues that undermine cohesion,” he said, recalling that some by-elections were lost because “NRM was fighting NRM.” He referenced the President’s directive that the focus should shift from slogans to tangible outcomes. “The message is clear: no more ‘NRM oyee’; it’s about service delivery.”
On regional development, Dombo called for a mindset shift in Eastern Uganda, urging leaders to think collectively rather than compete destructively for scarce opportunities. “Jobs are few. Let’s think together,” he said, adding that leaders should help communities heal after elections by bringing winners and losers together for conversation. He also challenged leaders to guide farmers toward more productive land use and away from unproductive crops.
As the meeting concluded, leaders agreed to compile a sub-regional report capturing lessons and priorities for Bugisu, with a shared commitment to unity, coordination and service delivery as the cornerstone of the NRM’s work going forward.