KAMPALA, November 6, 2026 — National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer Amb. Barbara Nekesa Oundo has donated a piece of land to the ruling party for the construction of district offices in Busia, in a move that could contribute to the party's efforts to establish permanent administrative structures across the country.

Nekesa handed over a freehold land title measuring 0.111 hectares to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong on behalf of the party secretariat. The property is located at Plot 31, Hadongole Road, in Busia Municipality.

According to the NRM Secretariat, Nekesa acquired the land in July 2011, shortly after the beginning of Uganda's Ninth Parliament. However, the property remained undeveloped for nearly 15 years, despite her developing other properties acquired subsequently.

"I procured this land in July 2011, just a month into the 9th Parliament. I later acquired different properties after that and subsequently developed them, but for close to 15 years, this particular one has remained vacant. I think it was meant to host the Party in Busia District," Nekesa said.

She added that she was pleased to finally transfer the property to the party, saying it had found its intended purpose.

Todwong commended the National Treasurer for the donation, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to the growth of the Movement.

A shift from rented offices to permanent party infrastructure

The donation comes as the NRM seeks to strengthen its physical presence across Uganda through the establishment of party-owned offices, reducing its longstanding dependence on rented commercial buildings and other privately owned premises.

For years, the party has maintained district offices in rented properties, a model that has at times exposed its local structures to challenges associated with rental arrears, landlord disputes and disruptions to administrative operations.

In January 2017, Daily Monitor reported that NRM offices in at least 14 districts had either been closed or faced closure over unpaid rent. The report documented cases in which landlords locked party officials out of their premises, with some offices struggling to maintain operations.

Similar challenges have persisted in subsequent years. In October 2021, Daily Monitor reported that the party had established a subcommittee to compile outstanding rental obligations accumulated by its district offices. In January 2022, Uganda Radio Network reported that a landlord in Bugweri had closed NRM offices over Shs5 million in alleged rental arrears.

More recently, in August 2026, Kabale District Council rejected a proposal to allocate government land to the party for office construction. Uganda Radio Network reported that the NRM was operating from a rented commercial building along Kabale Main Road as discussions over access to land continued.

Against this background, the Busia donation offers the party an opportunity to establish a permanent district headquarters without having to purchase land.

What ownership could mean for the NRM

Acquiring land for district offices represents a potentially significant step in the party's long-term administrative infrastructure development.

First, ownership would eliminate recurring rental obligations for the premises once construction is completed. This could allow the party to redirect resources previously allocated to rent towards other organisational activities, including mobilisation, administration and grassroots coordination.

Secondly, permanent offices would provide district party leadership with a more stable operational base. Unlike rented premises, which can be affected by disagreements with landlords, changes in tenancy arrangements or accumulated rental bills, party-owned buildings would give the NRM greater control over its administrative facilities.

The facilities could also serve as coordination centres for party officials, meetings, membership mobilisation, communication and other organisational activities throughout the year.

The donation is also significant because it comes from the party's National Treasurer, whose responsibilities include overseeing the management of its financial resources. It demonstrates how contributions of land and other assets by party leaders and members could support the NRM's efforts to build a permanent property portfolio.

However, the Busia donation is only the first step towards establishing a functional headquarters. The party will still need to mobilise resources for architectural plans, construction, furnishing and maintenance before the facility becomes operational.

The extent to which the initiative can be replicated in other districts will depend on the availability of land, funding and the party's ability to implement a coordinated construction programme.

For now, Nekesa's donation gives the NRM a valuable starting point in Busia as it pursues a broader transition from occupying rented premises to developing infrastructure that it can own and manage.