Rose Namayanja: The Mobilisation Strategist Who Consolidated NRM’s Strength in Buganda

The 2026 general elections reaffirmed the national dominance of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), but they also highlighted the decisive regional groundwork laid by key mobilisers. In Buganda — Uganda’s most politically dynamic region — much of that consolidation has been attributed to Hon. Rose Namayanja Nsereko, the NRM Deputy Secretary General.

Buganda has long been regarded as a competitive political arena, with its dense urban populations and vibrant youth activism shaping national political narratives. Going into the 2026 polls, opposition forces projected the region as fertile ground. However, under a structured mobilisation strategy led in part by Namayanja, the NRM retained firm footing and strengthened cohesion across districts.

Namayanja’s political grounding traces back to her formative years in the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), where she refined her grassroots “kakuyege” (mobilisation) approach. Her activism as a student leader at Makerere University, involvement in UNSA structures, leadership in youth councils in Luwero, service as Youth Member of Parliament for Central Region, and tenure as former Chairperson of the Buganda Caucus in Parliament built a vast network across the region.

Over the years, many of her contemporaries from those youth and parliamentary structures rose into influential leadership positions as Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), LC V chairpersons, mayors, District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), and councillors. This long-standing network gave her unparalleled leverage in coordinating mobilisation efforts across Buganda.

Her formal political career further strengthened her influence. Namayanja served as Woman Member of Parliament for Nakaseke District, where she built a reputation for constituency engagement and grassroots accessibility. She later served as Minister for Information and Communication Technology, gaining national administrative experience and visibility. Within the party, she also held the strategic position of NRM National Treasurer, overseeing financial structures and resource coordination — a role that deepened her understanding of party organisation and accountability.

As one of the architects of the “Buganda ku Museveni” drive, Namayanja traversed the region well before the official campaign period, preaching the message of service delivery, stability, and wealth creation under President Yoweri Museveni. Her approach emphasised consistent engagement rather than episodic campaign appearances.

Her groundwork was reinforced by active participation in President Museveni’s Parish Development Model (PDM) rallies throughout Buganda. Notably, in Kampala, before the President held his own rallies, Namayanja organised massive mobilisation meetings attracting approximately 8,000 people per division — energising local structures and creating momentum ahead of the presidential campaign.

Unlike in several other regions, Buganda’s strategy placed special emphasis on youth mobilisation. Dedicated youth meetings were convened prior to presidential rallies, where young people were equipped with campaign materials and tasked with mobilising their peers. This peer-driven approach expanded outreach beyond traditional party structures.

Messaging in Buganda was deliberately tailored. Rather than deploying a uniform national narrative, the campaign highlighted specific gains per sub-region — infrastructure development, wealth creation initiatives, education investments, and Parish Development Model achievements — ensuring relevance and resonance among diverse communities, especially young voters.

As Deputy Secretary General, Namayanja ensured that district party offices remained functional, internal disagreements were addressed promptly, and candidates campaigned collectively to avoid fragmentation. Her coordination between the Secretariat and grassroots leaders strengthened discipline and message consistency throughout the region.

When results were declared, President Museveni secured 71.56 percent of the national vote, and the NRM maintained overwhelming parliamentary dominance. While opposition pockets persisted in certain urban constituencies within Buganda, the region did not swing decisively away from the ruling party as some had predicted. Instead, the NRM preserved its structural strength and competitiveness.

For party insiders, Namayanja’s contribution in Buganda reflects decades of political experience — from youth activism and parliamentary leadership to ministerial service and party financial stewardship. Her journey positioned her uniquely to navigate Buganda’s complex political landscape.

In consolidating NRM’s presence in Uganda’s most scrutinised region, Hon. Rose Namayanja demonstrated that sustained grassroots organisation, strategic networks, tailored messaging, and disciplined coordination remain indispensable pillars of electoral success.