By Mr Odeke
SERERE DISTRICT, EASTERN UGANDA – A wave of political energy swept through Serere over the weekend as delegates of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) issued a bold and unprecedented call to the party’s top leadership: return to the roots, listen to the people, and fix the growing cracks within the party.
The powerful message emerged during a high-stakes consultative meeting chaired by Serere District NRM Chairperson Micheal Olobo, alongside Pingire County MP Philip Oucor, the party’s flag bearer. The meeting drew together an influential mix of party elders, youth and women league leaders, veterans, and grassroots mobilizers — all united by one concern: NRM is losing touch with its base.
But amid the concerns, the delegates delivered a unified endorsement of Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, declaring her their choice for the 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) position on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
“This is more than an endorsement,” said MP Oucor. “It’s a strategic step. Anita Among has the will, the track record, and the national appeal to reconnect the party with the people, especially here in Teso.”
The meeting served as both a political endorsement and a soul-searching session. Delegates were frank. Several expressed frustration over what they described as “disconnect and neglect” from the national leadership, especially toward grassroots structures and loyal cadres in the region.
Ogwang Moses, Secretary General of the Workers League, and Titus Okello Emiku, Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs League, blasted the party’s failure to adequately support workers and small business owners — groups that continue to carry the NRM on their backs during elections but receive little attention after.
“Our people are hustling in silence. Workers and small-scale entrepreneurs are tired of promises. If they are not empowered, the party will lose its backbone,” Ogwang said, to applause.
Veterans, too, raised alarm. Okello Fredrick Gerald, Veterans League Publicity Secretary, warned that sidelining those who built the party would be its downfall. “You cannot build a strong house and then throw away the foundation,” he said.
Echodu Ediau Wilbroad added a sharp warning: “The opposition is watching. If we don’t fix these internal fractures, they will take advantage.”
Yet amid the discontent, hope was rekindled through the endorsement of Anita Among.
Described as a “bridge-builder and results-oriented leader”, delegates believe her elevation to the CEC could unlock long-awaited attention to Teso’s concerns and inject new life into the party.
“She’s not just a Speaker. She’s a symbol of resilience and action,” Oucor said. “With her voice in the CEC, we believe Teso will no longer be sidelined.”
Representing the Speaker at the event, Workers MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara pledged to deliver all the concerns raised directly to her. He also challenged the delegates to rally even harder, saying, “Let’s not just endorse her; let’s mobilize and win with her.”
As the meeting wrapped up, the Serere NRM leadership sent a clear message: respect for grassroots voices, internal unity, and accountability must not be afterthoughts — they are survival tools.
In one powerful declaration, the delegates cemented their stance:
“This is not just about Anita Among. It’s about restoring dignity to the party structures, protecting the legacy of NRM in Teso, and building a future where every voice counts.”
The endorsement may have been local, but the message echoed far beyond Serere: if NRM is to thrive, it must first listen.
Source TNN
