Uganda: Wanyoto Gains Momentum in NRM Women's League Race

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, a seasoned Ugandan diplomat and respected political figure, is rapidly gaining traction in the race for chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Women's League. Her campaign, backed by strong regional support, is reshaping internal party dynamics.

A former Deputy Special Representative of the African Union Commission, Wanyoto has launched a strategic and well-organized campaign, earning endorsements across diverse sub-regions including Ankole, Bunyoro, and West Nile.

Her growing popularity presents a challenge to longstanding NRM figures such as Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda and First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga.

"We are seeing a new kind of leadership in Lydia Wanyoto. She is inclusive, she listens, and she is moving with the people, not just talking to them," said Grace Komugisha, a party mobilizer in Mbarara.

"This is not just a campaign; it's a movement."

Her support is particularly strong in the Ankole sub-region, home to over 2.5 million people according to the 2014 census.

Wanyoto's cross-ethnic appeal, engaging communities like the Banyankole, Alur, and Banyoro, underscores her unifying strategy--a deliberate effort to rally the party ahead of an anticipated leadership transition.

"This is the kind of mobilization that NRM needs if we're going to stay relevant to the next generation," said political analyst Dr Peter Kiwanda.

"Unlike the chaos of the 2025 grassroots elections, this campaign is disciplined, funded, and tapping into deep cultural networks."

Observers note the campaign's professional structure, including branded materials, strategic messaging, and coordinated regional meetings.

This organized approach contrasts with the disorganized contests that marked earlier NRM elections and reflects a broader shift influenced by President Museveni's efforts to strengthen traditional leadership structures since 1993.

"This is not just about winning a position; it's about redefining how women lead within the party," Wanyoto said during a rally in Hoima.

"We are ready to organize, to modernize, and to serve."

As the Women's League elections approach, Wanyoto's growing base and structured campaign may not only challenge internal party expectations but also reshape the future of grassroots engagement within the NRM.

Read the original article on Nile Post.