Meet The Ten Most Underappreciated NRM Activists Grassing Despite Immense Sacrifice – Having power in most cases translates into “falling in things” for party members and this is the reason why most activists in opposition will do all they can, including taking immense risks to win such power.
Four time Presidential candidate and former Museveni Bush war comrade, Rtd Col KizzaBesigye Kifefe recently asked the opposition to forget a life of luxury and push forward before they can finally rejoice. Using the example of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who he said endured immense tribulations while still fighting Apollo Milton Obote II government, Besigye emphasised that luxury is not for those in the struggle at all.
As many hardworking and well connected members of the ruling National Resistance Movement( NRM) party continue to busk in the plenty thay power brings, some outstandingly active defenders of the system continue to elude the kind eyes of those that decide who get deployed, very much to the surprise of many, both within and without.
Below, we bring you the list of the ten gallant defenders of the Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who continue to “eat air” while they continue to defend the government with their empty stomachs.
1. Harriet Bato, aka, Harris
She is the brain behind the NRM online based cyber soldiers – NRM SOMA. At a time when when the ruling side came under intense threat from opposition keyboard assassins at the peak of Besigye’s challenge, Bato was right there to counter. Recruiting activists across the country, she was able to put up a force that spread panic among rival propagandists. Since then, many of those who served under her tutelage have been absorbed into the system yet the Library and Information Science graduate continues to languish on the streets of Kampala.
2. Sande Juliet Toto
This daughter of Sebei sub region has everything one requires to be called a mobiliser.
Toto has repeatedly been credited for preaching the gospel of NRM in Sebei and canvassing support for Mzee Museveni in particular. The sworn NRM defender, despite catching the eye of the big wings in General Muhoozi’s PLU for whom she remains a significant crowd puller, deployment in the mainstream government has frustratingly remained elusive inspite of her degree from Uganda Christian University.
3. Adam Buyinza Ruzindana
For his role in supporting former rebel NRM Secretary General in the 2016 general elections, Ruzindana is said to have paid heavily. The fact, however that many with whom Ruzindana was un Mbabazi’s league have gone on to earn juicy positions undermines this allegation being the reason for his continued misfortune. Despite years spent chilling with the big boys, Buyinza is a resigned farmer in Kayunga district, only occasionally coming to the city to sell off his man power enhancement drugs. Yets still, he has continued to argue in defence of the system that will not deploy him anywhere regardless of the efforts he put in.
4. Meddy Gowa
The lifetime NRM gospel crusader has seen it all in defence of the system. His years at the NRM Secreatariat under immediate former Secretary General, Justin Kasule Lumumba saw him roam radio and TV stations preaching the NRM consolidation gospel. For telling the good things of his government, he has earned both praise and ridicule from party loyalists and rivals who rejoice in seeing him ignored by those who deploy. Nonetheless, Gowa remains committed to seeing the party thrive beyond the current Museveni-led regime. He is a leader in one of the earlier MK Movement factions- the Revolutionary Guard( RG).
- Fire Maguid Anguiza
The full time Museveni crusader is the leader of activists group called The Yellow Brigade. Like most pressure groups, Yellow Brigade moblises for the party at the different fronts both physically and virtually. With activists spread across the country, the Fire Anguiza group has had an undoubted impact on keeping his party in power. Quite surprisingly, however, this son of Arua still lives a modest life as a boda boda rider at Jinja Road Round about stage. Nonetheless, he still designs his boda boda with yellow colours to show his unwavering admiration for the party.
6. Eddylee Muyimbwa (Bisawo Bya Sente)
Talk about limitless love for NRM and fail to mention Bisawo Bya Sente at your own peril. The self styled Immunized Muzukulu spends all his time defending the ruling side and converting new souls. Despite being in both Besigye and Bobi Bobi Wine’s backyard in Kasangati, the ” enormous Muzukulu refuses to go by bandwagon to support opposition. In fact, he is the NRM Youth Chairperson for Kasangati Town Council. He is regularly on radio and TV stations popularizing the NRM government with no end in sight. Yet despite having a degree in Information Technology, there is yet to be a place for him to be deployed. Very confusing to believe, not so?
- .Mwesigwa Grace Obondo
The half inch man, Size 22 as he is commonly known in his native Bugiri District refuses to be held back by his small size while popularizing his party. A top mobiliser under the Milly Babalanda led Office of the NRM National Chairman, Obondo has become synonymous with the name NRM in Busoga. As a radio panelist, he frequents the different radio stations defending the party like he owns part of it. To prepare for the things that come with the luxury of being in power, he was forced to return to school, graduating last year with Social Work and Social Administration from Kumi University. Unfortunately, deployment has continued to evade him, much to the surprise of many. Mwesigwa is currently eyeing the Bugiri District LCV seat, taking his appeal to the people for the chance to serve his government.
8. Eng. Joseph Mukasa Ssewava
He will risk everything to take part in any NRM activity even if it were held under the sea. Sewava is said to have separated with his powerful opposition MP wife just because he couldn’t compromise his loyalty to General Museveni with anything. Previously a Communications Director at ONC, one wonders why the battle hardened Museveni defender is yet to be gainfully deployed.
9. Pastor Mbabazi Robert
He is the National Coordinator for the vibrant NRM Moblisation group- Team Thorough. He replaced late Idiri Kizza Kamuntu who succumbed to heart related complications in 2021. Team thorough has for the last couple of years been a formidable force to reckon with as far as moblisation is concerned. Despite being in close contact with the First Lady, nearly all top leaders and activists in the group are yet to catch the eye of the appointing authorities.
10. Salim Rwabiruura
Tell me you are on social media and you haven’t heard that name and I will conclude there is something wrong with you. Every day, he wakes up with a string of messages to defend NRM and critic opposition. How he sustains this approach is subject to debate. Unlike most activists, however, Rwabiruura will occasionally point out flaws in his own system, castigating wrong and suggesting what should be done to address certain anomalies. His knowledge about both national and international affairs seem evident to deep. That he is not yet absorbed in the system will not fail to shock anyone.
There are very many party defenders that deserve to be deployed. Much more than there are positions to do it. That’s how the system works though. We believe that whoever performs extraordinarily is being watched and maybe, the people we have talked about will have their day arrive soon.
Source: The Ankole Times
