First Lady urges Busoga women to deliver NRM victory in 2026 elections

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First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Kataaha Museveni, has rallied women in the Busoga sub-region to overwhelmingly support National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearers, including President Yoweri Museveni, ahead of the January 15, 2026, general elections.

In remarks delivered on her behalf by former Vice President and Senior Presidential Adviser on Health and Population, Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, at a mobilisation event held at Kiyunga Secondary School in Luuka district on January 12, Mrs Museveni emphasised that the strength of the NRM lies in the hands of women.

Former KCCA executive director and Champion of Neyendeire Development Initiative Dorothy Kisaka (middle) in a happy mood with women leaders during a meeting at Kiyunga Secondary School in Luuka district on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

The meeting was organised by the Neyendeire Development Initiative, championed by former Kampala Capital City Authority executive director Dorothy Kisaka.

She urged the thousands who attended to safeguard the future of their children by voting for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers.

The First Lady also called on women in Busoga to lead a generational shift towards economic independence and moral uprightness, urging them to reject handout politics as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.

"I urge you not to sell your vote for sh1,000 or sh2,000—Keep away from politicians who want to buy you off. If they buy their way into power, they will serve their own selfish interests and never return to the electorate. We, the women, must lead by example and stop the politics of handouts,” the First Lady said in the speech delivered by Kazibwe.

Mrs Museveni further observed that unity among women leaders in Busoga must be demonstrated if communities are to prosper.

She expressed concern over disunity among women leaders in the sub-region, noting that without strong female leadership, homes cannot truly thrive.

Specioza Wandira Kazibwe Naigaga (middle) the former Vice President and the Team lead of NRM's Busoga Region Coordinating Team that was tasked to campaign for President Yoweri Museveni together with Dorothy Kisaka (right) the former KCCA Executive Director and Champion of Neyendeire Developmemt Initiative rallying Busoga women to vote for President Yoweri Museveni during a mobilisation meeting at Kiyunga Secondary School in Luuka district on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

She also commended Kisaka for championing the Neyendeire Development Initiative, which aims to improve the livelihoods of women in the Busoga sub-region.

Addressing the gathering, Kisaka outlined NDI’s mission to establish Smart Homesteads, locally known as amaka ag’omutindo, across all 11 districts and one city in Busoga.

She explained that the initiative operates through village clusters where women form groups of 12 to promote development, health and savings.

"We are telling the people of Busoga: think strategically about the future," Kisaka said, citing a local proverb: ‘Otalya iggi kwesubya munofu’, meaning do not eat the egg and miss the chicken.

Kisaka said the initiative focuses on strengthening the home, adding that when families are stable and God-fearing, communities also become stable.

She further explained that the Neyendeire initiative, which has already reached more than 35,000 people across 430 registered homesteads, is anchored on four pillars: fear of God, health and hygiene, saving and strategic thinking.

Religious leaders at the event echoed calls for unity and collective effort. Rev. Canon Moses Bikange of Kayunga Archdeaconry and Rev Cosam Tuliraba of Muguluka Archdeaconry urged the Basoga to abandon individualism.

"The times of working alone ended—you must work together to foster development and stop the culture of lamentation," Bikange said.

The Leadership of Neyendeire Development Initiative, Captians and members from Busoga sub region in a group photograph during a mobilisation meeting at Kiyunga Secondary School in Luuka district on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Kazibwe also underscored the importance of discipline in the home, urging mothers not to spare the rod if they are to raise responsible future leaders.

She announced that the Neyendeire Development Initiative would soon extend its training programmes into schools to promote humility and good governance.

In a notable political gesture, Kazibwe publicly endorsed Dorothy Kisaka as her political heir in the region, signalling a new chapter in women’s leadership in Busoga.

Leaders representing the 11 districts and the city in Busoga resolved to support President Museveni, pledging to raise future leaders aligned with NRM values.

The colourful event featured performances by the Nakabale Entertainment Group and the Bugabula Entertainers, celebrating the cultural and political unity of the sub-region.