President Museveni was last month declared winner of the hotly contested 2026 general elections.
Winning the election with 71.65% of the vote, the NRM presidential candidate beat his closest rival, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu from the National Unity Platform who got 24% of the vote.
The 71% was the first time since 1996 that Museveni was getting above 70% in the elections.
Museveni last surpassed the 70% mark in 1996 when he won the election with 74% of the vote. In subsequent elections, he garnered 69% in 2001, 59% in 2006, 69% in 2011, 60% in 2016, and 58% in 2021.
However, among the people who delivered Museveni’s victory was the party Secretary General, Richard Todwong.
As the NRM secretary general, Todwong was directly the head of operations as the ruling party canvassed votes for its presidential candidate- Yoweri Museveni.
This meant he had boots on the ground every time.
While he appeared on many of Museveni’s rallies, most of Todwong’s work was done behind the scenes as he worked tooth and nail to sway voters to NRM.
For example, whenever Museveni went to a certain sub region for campaigns, Todwong did the ground work, meeting several groups of people including women, youths, ghettos, student leaders and all kinds of people.
Throughout these meetings, many of them were not publicised, Todwong ensured he not only talked about the NRM manifesto but also ensured he made contrast between the past government and the current one.
While this time round NRM changed strategy to grassroot mobilisation, little has been mentioned abut Todwong behind the brain behind this strategy.
Insiders say Todwong suggested that this time NRM’s campaign turns to the party structures right from the village.
This way, he empowered the party structures and not the secretariate to be in charge of the campaigns and funds meant for this purpose were directly sent to the structures.
“SG purposely focused on mobilising the party structures to take charge of campaigning for the NRM candidates. The party structures felt recognised and empowered to campaign No wonder, this time round, President Museveni has achieved the highest percentage of votes compared to previous elections,” a source within the NRM told the UG Bulletin.
Recently, several party mobilisers and cadres congratulated Todwong upon securing victory for the ruling party.
“This victory reflects your hard work, discipline, and ability to unite structures at all levels toward a common goal,” Hakim Muzamiru, an NRM cadre from the West Nile region said in a congratulatory message.
“Your unwavering commitment to the Party has once again demonstrated your dedication to the NRM’s vision and to the continued stability and progress of our country.”
“Thank you Ladit for breaking history with the landslide victory for both H.E. Yoweri Museveni and the party at large,” a message from Nicolas Tuhairwe read.
James Kaboneko, a youth leader from Busoga hailed Todwong for his mobilisation skills.
“Our dear SG deserves a bigger position for this historic victory for our mighty party.”
