By Stephen Bwire
As the clock ticks to the 2021 general elections, the ruling National resistance Movement (NRM) is in an aggressive overdrive to empty the Opposition of their members and supporters by whichever means possible, this paper can exclusively report.
In a detailed brief availed to this newspaper from one of the fierce mobilisation groups of NRM and President Museveni, in the last six months alone, over 50,000 Opposition leaders and key strategists have crossed to the NRM party. This mobilisation drive is spearheaded by Team Thorough-YKM, a group which answers directly to First Lady Mama Janet Museveni.
Team Thorough has eaten deep into key parties and forces including FDC, People Power, DP, and among others through elaborate nationwide networks and mobilisation structures spread right from the villages to national level.
The group has also recruited about seven million mobilisers across the country majority of whom are youth and women.
Why the defections to NRM?
On why the Opposition leaders are abandoning their parties to bed with NRM, Team Thorough national coordinator, Eng Idri Kiiza Kamuntu says: “Ugandans have come to know the truth, including some of these opposition leaders especially the youth. They know that they have been held hostage in deception by some opposition figures who have been using them for their self interests.” “Secondly,” he adds, “some of these leaders have come to the realisation that you can only achieve meaningful development if you work with the party in power, the rest is just wishful thinking.”
Kamuntu says their approach in reaching out to the Opposition is unique. “When you want to win over people to your side, you need to have a unique approach which includes the message you are telling them. It’s not just about telling people to come out and join you or NRM, but why are they joining the NRM? What message are you telling them? People are tired and fed-up with lies, they need a message of hope, and it’s through our preaching of the achievements of the NRM government and the sound NRM Ideology that people are seeing the light,” he elaborates.
According to data availed to this newspaper, Team Thorough has recruited seven million mobilisers across the country in the last four years. “For us we [Team Thorough] didn’t go to sleep, immediately after the 2016 general elections, we went to work. Mobilisation is a continuous process, you don’t have to wait for an election to start mobilising,” he says, adding, “You don’t only mobilise people to vote, but you mobilise people and cadres who will stay with the organisation for all their lives. What some people think is that you only mobilise people to cast votes for you, no; this is wrong and it explains why the NRM has had challenges in the past,” Kamuntu explains.
The most notable converts include;
- Mr.Ozo Birungi James
(Former FDC Regional Coordinator for Rwenzori Region) - Mr.Waswa Lule (From DP to NRM)
First Son of Former President H.E Professor Yusuf Lule - Mr.Ssalongo Mukasa Bwabye
(From DP to NRM)
The DP Secretary General for Kira Municipality - Mr.Gasala Fred (DP to NRM)
The DP organising Secretary for Buikwe District - Mr. Aula Mohammed (FDC to NRM)
Former Mayor Aspirant for Njeru Municipality on FDC ticket - Ms Zaina Namutebi (People Power to NRM)
The Masaka and Kalungu people Power Coordinator - Mr Samanya Bright (People Power to NRM)
The People power Coordinator for Namayingo District - Mr Figo West (People Power to NRM)
The Bunyoro upcoming Musician who sang for Opposition in Hoima bye elections - Hajj Walugembe Twaha (FDC to NRM)
The FDC Coordinator for Kisimbiri T/C in Wakiso District - Mr Kityamwesi Joseph Mayumba (DP to NRM)
The DP Youth Coordinator for Kyesiiga S/C in Masaka District with his team of 500 DP converts. - Ms Kyampaire Diana (FDC to NRM)
The FDC Publicity Secretary for Youth, Wakiso District
The National Vice Secretary General for Women league
- Mr Senuni Godfrey (FDC to NRM)
The Youth Coordinator at Najjanankumbi FDC Headquarters - Mr. Atiyan Rigàn (People Power to NRM)
The Ghetto mobiliser and weed distributor in People Power - Mr Foozi Yunusu (FDC to NRM)
FDC mobilisers in Wanale Division, Mbale Municipality - Mr Kawaga Asadu (DP to NRM)
DP chief mobiliser in Kawempe - Ms Oliver Kalembe(FDC to NRM)
FDC mobiliser in Jinja - Mr. Birari Erick (FDC to NRM)
FDC chief mobiliser in Kawempe - Mr Sebulime Moses (FDC to NRM)
FDC platinum mobilisers in Kampala - Mr Tenywa Paddy (FDC to NRM)
Makindye East Secretary General for FDC and
The former LCV Aspirant for Makindye East on FDC ticket - Mr Paul Male Ssalongo (DP to NRM)
DP strong pillar in Kawempe - Mr Musa Awera (FDC to NRM)
FDC Mayor Aspirant for Butiaba T/C in Bullisa - Mr Begumisa Elias (FDC to NRM)
FDC Secretary General for Youths, Kanungu District - Mr Nsaiga Denison (FDC to NRM)
The FDC Youth Coordinator for Kaliro District - Mr Kato James Rwamakuba (FDC to NRM)
The FDC Secretary for Publicity, Rakai District - Rodney Muwanguzi (FDC to NRM)
FDC Youth mobiliser at Najjanankumbi Headquarters
