Minister Adoa Picks NRM Nomination Forms, Vows to Defend Her Seat with Strong Track Record in Service Delivery

The State Minister for Fisheries and incumbent Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Adoa, has officially picked nomination forms from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission headquarters, affirming her intention to contest again for the seat she has held since 2016.

On Wednesday, Adoa picked up her Expression of Interest and nomination forms from the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala, joining the growing list of hopefuls vying for various positions under the ruling party.

Her move signals her intent to retain her parliamentary seat, which she has held since 2016.

“I picked up nomination forms from the NRM Electoral Commission headquarters to run for Woman Member of Parliament seat for Serere District,” Minister Adoa announced.

“I ask my people of Serere to again support me in the forthcoming elections. Hard work and effective service delivery will continue to define my leadership.”

Her remarks were both a plea for continued trust and a stern reminder to her constituents to critically assess leaders based on their performance, not empty promises.

“We should not allow populism to derail our district’s development. Leadership is not a popularity contest; it is about commitment and delivery,” she said.

Minister Adoa enters the race with a strong development record that could give her an edge over potential challengers.

Since becoming Serere’s Woman MP and later a state minister, she has championed several key initiatives, particularly in health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture, the backbone of the Serere economy.

Education Sector Improvements

One of Adoa’s notable achievements is the improvement of education facilities in Serere. Under her tenure, several dilapidated schools have been renovated and equipped with desks and learning materials.

She lobbied the Ministry of Education and partners to construct classroom blocks at primary schools such as Kyere P/S, Pingire P/S, and Olwa P/S, enhancing the learning environment for thousands of pupils.

She has also supported the provision of scholarships and bursaries for underprivileged students, especially girls, to pursue secondary and tertiary education.

According to local leaders, this has significantly reduced school dropout rates among girls in the district.

Health Sector Revitalization

In the health sector, Minister Adoa has been instrumental in pushing for better facilities and medical supplies.

Her office facilitated the rehabilitation of health centres like Kadungulu HC III and Kyere HC III, including the provision of solar lighting systems and maternity beds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked closely with the Ministry of Health and donors to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), handwashing stations, and food aid to vulnerable communities.

Recently, she has continued to support maternal health services and vaccination campaigns across Serere.

Roads and Infrastructure Development

Access to rural markets and services has greatly improved due to road works she helped lobby for.

Several kilometers of feeder roads have been graded and opened, including routes connecting all Sub Counties in Serere. These roads have eased transportation for farmers, traders, and school-going children.

In 2024, through her advocacy, the government included Serere in the road rehabilitation phase under the Ministry of Works and Transport, ensuring the construction of culverts and routine maintenance of rural roads that were once impassable during rainy seasons.

Agricultural Support Programs

Recognizing that Serere is an agrarian community, Minister Adoa has prioritized programs to support farmers.

She has distributed ox-ploughs, improved cassava cuttings, and citrus seedlings under Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model.

Her efforts have led to increased agricultural productivity and food security in the district.

Last year, she facilitated the training of youth and women groups in modern farming techniques and post-harvest handling, which has improved value addition and income generation at the household level.

Political Landscape Heats Up

By close of Tuesday, a total of 1,303 NRM aspirants had picked nomination forms for MP and district chairperson seats across the country, according to Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission. The nomination period will run until June 15, 2025.

In Serere, Adoa is expected to face competition, especially within NRM and independent candidates who argue that change is needed. However, her development track record and strong ties to both the central government and local structures may prove difficult to match.

Political analysts say the coming NRM primaries in Serere will be a litmus test of Minister Adoa’s popularity and her party’s cohesion in the district.

In a pointed message, Adoa urged voters to look beyond campaign rhetoric and evaluate candidates based on performance.

“Our district cannot afford to regress because of emotional voting. I am committed to results, not just promises,” she stated.