As Uganda inches closer to the 2026 general elections, senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders are intensifying grassroots mobilization, with renewed efforts aimed at strengthening President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s support base across the country.
On Sunday afternoon, Judith Ewichu Apilo, the Senior Presidential Private Secretary in charge of Women Affairs, took the campaign trail to Oigomojong Village in Agule Sub-county, Pallisa District, where she joined mourners at the burial of 72-year-old Stephen Okurut.
Okurut, a renowned dental service provider in Bukedi and Teso sub-regions, died in a tragic road accident along the Ngora–Serere road while transporting medical supplies to Serere District.
His death gathered hundreds of mourners, including community leaders and NRM cadres, providing Ewichu an opportunity to deliver the president’s message at the grassroots level.
Recognized as the chief mourner, Ewichu urged the people of Pallisa to “massively vote for President Museveni,” citing the government’s continued investment in socio-economic transformation, peace, and household income improvement.
She said the NRM candidate remains the “only visionary leader with a people-centered manifesto capable of lifting communities out of poverty and steering them toward middle-income status.”
She informed residents that President Museveni was, on the same day, meeting NRM flag bearers and local party leaders at Pallisa Secondary School, accompanied by Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and other top party officials.
“I am here packaging his message,” Ewichu said. “We have the best roads, our schools have classrooms with desks, and programs like Emyooga, PDM, UWEP, and the Youth Livelihood Programme are actively empowering households. Electricity is also being extended to rural areas.”
Ewichu dismissed criticism from opposition voices who claim residents should not vote for the president until the cattle restocking pledge is fulfilled.
She assured the community that the government remains committed to delivering on its promises.
“President Museveni met Teso leaders led by Vice President Jessica Alupo and agreed that each household will benefit from five head of cattle,” she explained.
“He has fulfilled promises before, remember UPE and USE in 1996. The cattle will be delivered, even if in cash form.”
Her message resonated with some local leaders, including Akisim Sub-county Councilor John Julius Okaki, who said Ewichu’s approach of engaging communities directly is more meaningful than indoor mobilization meetings.
He criticized some NRM leaders for failing to connect with voters after the last elections.
“Our leaders have big titles but don’t reach the people. Voters want communication, not money,” he remarked.
Denis Arikod, a boda boda rider in Pallisa Town, echoed concerns about transparency in party programs, revealing that local riders had to protest to receive their allocated funds.
“We welcome leaders like Ewichu who come down to us. That’s how Museveni can win by a big margin,” he said.
Sarah Akurut, another resident, urged all appointed officials to emulate Ewichu by returning to the grassroots to understand people’s real needs.
Meanwhile, Pallisa Woman MP Kevin Kaala Ojinga applauded Ewichu’s mobilization drive but expressed concern that some flag bearers in the district “cannot effectively market the NRM package” because of how they won primary elections.
Her sentiments were shared by Herbert Okello, an independent candidate from Agule, who accused some flag bearers of seeking sympathy from top party leaders instead of reconnecting with voters.
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