Greater Nebbi NRM women’s leagues decry lack of funding

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National Resistance Movement (NRM) women leagues in the Greater Nebbi region (comprising Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo districts) have raised concerns over insufficient funding.

They are urging the ruling NRM party to prioritise financial support to sustain their grassroots mobilisation and advocacy roles ahead of the 2026 general election.

Invisible efforts, empty coffers

Members of the NRM Women’s League across the three districts revealed that their contributions to the party’s agenda have been stifled by a lack of resources.

This was during an engagement at Gas Apartments in Nebbi town on August 3, 2025.

Grace Akumu, the league’s chairperson in Nebbi Municipality, lamented that their work remains largely invisible outside election periods.

“People question our relevance because we lack funds to execute programmes. We are only visible during campaigns, but post-election, our efforts go unrecognised,” she said.

The leagues, tasked with mobilising support for NRM candidates and government programmes, highlighted critical operational challenges.

Jackline Opar, an NRM mayoral flag-bearer for Nebbi Municipality, explained that even basic logistics like transport are unaffordable.

“We struggle to mobilise voters for the party, including the President, because we lack vehicles. This limits our reach, and people dismiss us as non-functional,” she said.

Calls for structural support

Zenovia Ocama, the district chairperson of the NRM Women’s League in Nebbi, emphasised that while the league has treasurers, empty coffers hinder progress.

“We’ve been instrumental in rallying votes for the President, but without transport or funding, our impact is limited. We need vehicles allocated to each league to enhance our work,” she urged.  

Joveline Kyomukama Kalisa, an aspirant for the National Women’s League chairperson seat, proposed systemic integration as a solution. If elected to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), she pledged to lobby for the leagues’ inclusion in local government structures.

“Like youth, disability and elderly groups, NRM women’s leagues should be formally recognised as monitors of government programmes. This would secure them funding through local budgets,” she said.

A push for sustainability

The leagues also highlighted challenges in establishing Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS), a key initiative to empower members economically. “How can we form SACCOS without seed capital? It’s impossible,” Akumu remarked.

As the 2026 elections approach, the women’s leagues are demanding urgent intervention from the NRM leadership to revitalise their role as grassroots mobilisers. 

“We are the backbone of this party,” Ocama said. “It’s time the NRM walks the talk by investing in our capacity to deliver.”