The National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s ruling party, has started an agricultural mobilization campaign as part of a new political strategy to regain influence in the central region. This initiative comes after the NRM lost several parliamentary seats in this area to the opposition during the 2021 general elections.
The announcement of these new plans was made on Thursday, May 16th. The NRM introduced fresh mobilization strategies aimed at reclaiming the region. Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary General, outlined the campaign during a meeting with NRM officials at the Kavumba Recreation Centre in Wakiso. This campaign, named the Kisoboka campaign, will begin on July 16th and run until October 13th, 2026. Each week, similar campaigns will take place in different sub-regions within the central region.
Todwong emphasized that these agricultural expo events are part of the seven policy proposals put forward by the President for the development of the agricultural sector. He explained that the NRM’s foundation lies in eradicating poverty and improving household incomes, which sets them apart from other political parties by focusing on practical solutions.
“The foundation of our party is in eradicating poverty and elevating households out of poverty. The difference between the NRM and other parties is in the solutions,” Todwong stated. He highlighted that discussing economic transformation is meaningless without addressing the smaller challenges faced by the country. He pointed out that with 70% of Uganda’s population still engaged in subsistence farming, true transformation cannot occur without addressing this issue.
Todwong also mentioned that many people see more value in the land of Buganda, largely due to the region’s market opportunities. The central region is blessed with a large market in terms of population, economic activity, and knowledge. He stressed that combating poverty requires a united effort, as many church projects fail because the members are financially struggling. He added that his own spending habits reflect the central region’s economic activities, with 60% of his income spent there. However, he noted that agricultural land is decreasing due to increasing construction, and the soil is becoming less fertile, necessitating the use of fertilizers.
Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Central region, mentioned that the NRM government has introduced many innovations. He believes that the new campaign will enhance efforts to mobilize youth to participate in productive coffee projects. This campaign also aims to support both animal and crop farmers, manufacturers of agricultural inputs, and importers of farming equipment.
Rose Namayanja, the Deputy Secretary General of the NRM, praised Todwong for fostering an environment that allows the party to operate harmoniously. “Initially, there were conflicts within the party, starting from the secretariat to the district level, but now party members are working in harmony,” she noted.
