The Secretary-General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Richard Todwong, on Friday, received over 100 youth converts in Omoro district who allegedly ditched the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) citing growing intrigue among their leaders and lack of clear plans for them and the country at large.
The converts say they first welcomed the opposition hoping to see any change but have not benefitted in any way thus deciding to cross to the ruling party with the hope of getting assistance.
Okello Jacob Henry, one of the converts, asked NRM leaders to always remember and appreciate people who at all costs sacrifice and mobilize for President Museveni and the party to win.
“We request that when we have done our mobilization for the president, youth should be remembered and appreciated for their good work so as not to be misled by a few people who peddle lies for their selfish gains,” Okello pleaded.
Todwong welcomed the converts and applauded the youths for choosing to join NRM, a party he described as progressive with clear intentions of uplifting the population from poverty into socio-economic transformation soon.
“We are rescuing you from bad groups. Do not join groups of people who are misleading you like NUP. The government is here to help our people get out of poverty. But if you remain in opposition, you may miss out on government programs,” Todwong said.
He added that the ruling party has identified challenges affecting youth and systems being handled to sort out issues to do with unemployment and limited skills required for the job market.
On her part, the Director for Mobilisation, Recruitment and Cadre Development, Hon Rosemary Seninde, welcomed the youths into the NRM family and called on them to embrace the available government programs to uplift their household incomes.
Hon. Emmanuel Dombo, Director of Communication, accused leaders in the opposition of dishonesty to their people by constantly and deliberately telling lies and misleading the population for their selfish interest instead of sensitizing them on the available government programs that are aimed at transforming their lives.
“The opposition leaders you vote, lie to you and go to parliament to earn salaries. I advise you to work with the government and strive to better your lives and communities,” Mr Dombo said.
The Director of Finance and Administration, Hajat Medina Naham, told the group that the party will create channels of communication to ensure they keep in contact and provide them assistance that can get them out of poverty.
Earlier in the morning, NRM candidate Andrew Ojok Oulanyah and officials of the secretariat led by Hon. Emmanuel Dombo and Hajat Medina Naham, visited Lalogi HCIV located in Lalogi sub-county to check on a 9-month-old baby who was affected by teargas which police fired to disperse NUP leaders and supporters who were campaigning in Acet town council beyond the 6pm campaign deadline.
Hon. Dombo said the baby is currently in a stable condition since she quickly responded to treatment.
Dombo also condemned what he described as “bad politics” of seeking sympathy on realizing they lack popular support.
