NRM Women's League boosts Museveni campaign as First Lady calls for unity

KAMPALA - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Women’s League has  intensified the mobilisation of women across the country under the slogan “All Women for Museveni."

The group also pledged to deliver between over 99 percent of the vote for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the forthcoming elections.

On Monday,  the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, hosted a delegation of NRM Women’s League leaders at State House, Entebbe. The courtesy call was characterised by prayer, thanksgiving, and the presentation of a wide-ranging memorandum on women’s empowerment.

The delegation, led by the National Chairperson, Adrine Kobusingye, included members of the national executive committee and regional vice chairpersons representing the Central, Western, Eastern, Northern, Buganda, and Karamoja regions. 

“We have come with a lot of energy and vigour to ensure that we achieve the percentage and goals set by the NRM party,”  said Kobusingye as the team rallied behind their mobilisation slogan, “All Women for Museveni.”

In a memorandum presented to the First Lady, the Women’s League proposed the establishment of a National NRM Women’s SACCO, structured from village to national level, to improve women’s access to affordable credit and support household-level economic transformation.

The proposal also outlined plans for structured leadership training, mentorship, mindset-change initiatives, and increased investment in the girl child, positioning the Women’s League as a long-term institution beyond electoral cycles.

Welcoming the delegation, the First Lady described the visit as timely and meaningful, particularly because it centred on prayer.  “In this season, it is rare to hear that people want to pay a courtesy call. But even more gratifying is to know that you came to pray with me—to pray for Mzee and for our homeland,” Mrs. Museveni said.

A release from her office stated that Mrs. Museveni commended the women leaders for recognising the pivotal role of prayer in all endeavours, especially in nation-building and leadership. “Prayer is really the foundation that makes anything possible; wise women pray,” she said.

Reflecting on Uganda’s journey, the First Lady noted that the country has witnessed God’s faithfulness through decades of transformation—from political instability and economic collapse to peace, stability, and growth that must be safeguarded.

“God has been good to us as a nation. He literally delivered us from bondage—the bondage of political upheavals, bloodshed, violence, and economic decline. God has given us beauty for ashes and turned our mourning into dancing again, as the Prophet Isaiah proclaims in Isaiah 61,” she said.

“For a people who were once scattered around the world seeking asylum, today we are home to millions of refugees. Only God can do this,” she added, noting that Ugandans have enjoyed peace and security for nearly four decades and that God has provided abundantly.

The First Lady also commended government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying they align with President  Museveni’s commitment to ensure that no Ugandan family remains trapped in poverty.

“As a nation, we have seen families move out of abject poverty into the money economy. It has been gratifying to hear the many testimonies from across the country,” she said.

The First Lady underscored the significant space the NRM government has created for women in leadership, citing women’s representation at the highest levels of national decision-making. She urged women to consolidate these gains through collaboration and selfless service.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Deborah, Mrs. Museveni reminded leaders that true influence is rooted in character, humility, and fear of God—not titles. “Titles do not bestow honour or influence. Only God does,” she said, adding that humility, fear of God, and genuine care for people earn leaders the trust to lead. 

At the same events, Mrs. Museveni cautioned the Women’s League against internal disagreements, warning that strife can undermine even the strongest political organisations.“We must know that God wants to use women, and we must allow Him to use us. But when we allow strife within our own organisations, we close the door to God,” she counselled.

She urged the women to work and live together in peace and harmony and to anchor their mobilisation efforts in prayer, unity, humility, and selfless service. “I appeal for unity among us. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” she stressed. “We must deliberately work to ensure that women are a blessing to the NRM, because the NRM is a blessing to women,” she added.

Mrs. Museveni welcomed the SACCO proposal, describing it as practical and transformative. She shared lessons from a past learning visit to Bangladesh, where women-led microfinance models helped lift communities out of poverty.

“If you can start something like that, aimed at helping women at the grassroots and lifting them up with pride in who they are, you can build a women’s organisation with the scale and strength of a bank—a truly women’s bank in Uganda,” she said. Mrs. Museveni added that she hopes Uganda can one day build sufficient local financial strength for women to reduce dependence on external lending.

Several leaders from the National NRM Women’s League shared personal testimonies of mentorship and empowerment inspired by Janet Museveni’s long-standing work among women and communities.

They reaffirmed their commitment and declared that women would play a decisive role in safeguarding unity, stability, and continued socio-economic transformation in Uganda.

The women leaders also highlighted challenges affecting grassroots mobilisation, particularly limited transport and facilitation, especially in expansive regions such as Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, and West Nile.

The engagement concluded with worship, singing, and prayers led by clergy, including Rev. Paska Ochung-Koma of All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala, who prayed for the First Family, national leadership, and peaceful elections, and emphasised humility and unity among women.

The Women’s League presented Mrs. Janet Museveni with a Bible as a gift, describing it as a symbol of their spiritual partnership during the election season and beyond.