The Minister for the Presidency and National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Budiope West Constituency, Babirye Milly Babalanda, has called on party leaders to abandon divisive politics and instead focus on building unity and promoting development-oriented leadership.
Speaking during a meeting with all NRM structures in Kidera Town Council at the council headquarters, Minister Babalanda urged party leaders to avoid engaging in what she described as politics of hatred, saying such practices weaken the movement’s foundations and discourage the young generation.
She emphasized that leaders should instead spread messages of hope, cooperation and national solidarity to strengthen the NRM’s organizational capacity and ensure electoral victory in Budiope West.
According to Minister Babalanda, the party’s continued success depends on the ability of its leaders to demonstrate integrity, discipline and respect for one another, rather than using political platforms to attack their colleagues.
“As NRM, we must work together to push the ideologies of NRM and also protect the gains,” she said.
The Minister also rallied grassroots leaders to continue mobilizing for the NRM chairperson, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and all party flag bearers ahead of the forthcoming elections.
She reminded local leaders that the NRM’s core strength lies in its unity and shared vision of transforming communities through inclusive service delivery and practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Minister Babalanda cautioned residents against politicians who use abusive language or divisive rhetoric to gain popularity, urging voters to instead focus on leaders with clear development agendas and proven commitment to service.
“Don’t trust leaders who just come before you to abuse others; let them tell what they are to do for you to transform the area, rather than insulting their opponents,” she advised.
She further underscored her own record of service to the people of Budiope West, highlighting her long-standing involvement in addressing local needs even before seeking elective office.
“Personally, I have exhibited the true character of leadership through service delivery even before being elected to represent the people of Budiope West. I have handled every sector of service to try to transform this area,” she stated.
Minister Babalanda urged NRM leaders to serve as watchdogs over the implementation of government programmes in their communities, ensuring that public resources are utilized efficiently and that projects meet the intended development goals.
She explained that effective supervision by local party leaders is crucial to sustaining the trust of citizens and delivering the NRM government’s promise of prosperity for all.
The minister’s engagement comes as part of her broader mobilization drive to consolidate support in Budiope West, where she is seeking her first term as Member of Parliament in the upcoming 12th legislative assembly.
The well-attended meeting brought together the Buyende Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Komakechi Salim, his deputy and assistants, as well as NRM leaders representing the 32 villages that make up Kidera Town Council.
Each village was represented by 30 delegates, alongside youth representatives at the district level and other area leaders, underscoring the growing enthusiasm and commitment within the NRM structures to strengthen party cohesion and support service delivery in Buyende District.
Minister Babalanda’s call for unity and constructive engagement reflects the government’s ongoing emphasis on peace, ideological discipline and inclusive leadership—principles that have underpinned the NRM’s long-standing stability and development agenda across Uganda.
