The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is set to break ground for the construction of its district offices in Luwero District on November 12, 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening the party’s institutional presence in the district widely regarded as the birthplace of its liberation struggle.
The development follows a Shs300 million contribution by President Museveni through the NRM Secretariat towards the construction of the party offices. The funds were reportedly received from damages awarded following a defamation lawsuit against Monitor Publications.
Of the Shs300 million, Shs150 million was used to acquire land at Naluvule Village in Katikamu Sub-county, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, where the proposed offices will be constructed.
Luwero holds a significant place in Uganda’s political history as the epicentre of the 1981–1986 National Resistance Army (NRA) guerrilla war that brought President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to power.
Despite its historical significance to the ruling party, the NRM has operated without permanent district offices in Luwero for nearly four decades, conducting its activities from a single rented room along Kiwoko Road in Luwero Town Council.
On Thursday, NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja, accompanied by party Treasurer Barbara Nekesa, Electoral Commission Commissioner Ambassador James Williams Kinobe and Director of Legal Services Counsel Enoch Barata, met the Luwero District NRM Executive Committee to discuss preparations for the project.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the party leadership to address internal disagreements arising from the election of an Administrative Officer, which have reportedly affected unity within the district party structures.
Addressing the leaders, Namayanja underscored Luwero’s historical contribution to the establishment of the NRM government and called on party members to support the construction initiative.
She further urged district leaders to put aside their differences and strengthen unity, warning that internal divisions could undermine the party’s mobilisation efforts as it seeks to regain political positions currently held by opposition parties.
“This facility will be a testament to our party’s enduring presence, but our true strength lies in our ability to serve the people,” Namayanja said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Kinobe assured the district leaders that the construction funds would be provided by the NRM Secretariat.
He revealed that the Secretariat plans to facilitate the construction of party offices in 21 districts across the country. However, Luwero will enjoy a special status by hosting both district offices and a regional headquarters, which will accommodate the Office of the Regional Chairperson.
According to Kinobe, this distinction reflects Luwero’s unique historical significance in the formation and growth of the NRM.
He confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Luwero District NRM offices would take place on November 12, 2026.
Luwero District NRM Chairperson Sam Buchanan welcomed the decision to hold the national launch in Luwero, describing it as a fitting recognition of the district’s central role in the liberation struggle.
“NRM began in Luwero, and this district has a very big history in the formation of our party. We appreciate the Secretariat leadership for choosing Luwero to host this national launch. It is a great initiative, and our preparations are underway,” Buchanan said.
Beyond the construction of administrative offices, local party leaders have also called for the project to incorporate facilities that preserve the district’s historical legacy.
Simon Kagenyi, Chairperson of the Luwero NRM Entrepreneurs League, proposed expanding the project into a comprehensive institutional complex featuring a museum, conference facilities and historical exhibitions honouring the liberation struggle.
He said such facilities would help preserve the NRM’s heritage, recognise the contribution of liberation fighters and establish a centre for political education and community engagement.
“We need something tangible in Luwero that reminds the people of where the NRM journey began,” Kagenyi said.
The proposed development is expected to give the NRM a permanent institutional home in a district whose history remains deeply intertwined with the party’s origins, while also providing a platform for its administrative, mobilisation and heritage activities
