Engineer Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki’s path to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) gathered momentum today after the party’s vetting committee officially endorsed his candidature for Vice Chairperson, Western Uganda.
The announcement, greeted with jubilation from his supporters, was likened to “white smoke” — a symbol of approval and fresh beginnings — as Akiiki emerged from the vetting process all smiles. The endorsement clears the way for him to contest at the upcoming NRM Delegates’ Conference, where the party will decide on its next generation of top leadership.
Sources say Akiiki has pledged his commitment to serve the Movement with discipline, innovation, and inclusivity.
He emphasized that his candidacy is not about personal ambition but about strengthening NRM’s grassroots engine and advancing President Museveni’s legacy of socio-economic transformation.
“This nod from the vetting committee is not just about me. It is about the thousands of young people, farmers, and community leaders who believe in an NRM that listens, empowers, and delivers,” friends close to him quoted the man from Bunyoro.
The development follows Akiiki’s recent tour of Northern Uganda, where youth leaders, including the Yumbe District Youth Chairperson, pledged to mobilize support for him, declaring total loyalty to his bid.
Yesterday, he also met dozens of district chairpersons during the unveiling of President Yoweri Museveni’s official portrait at the NRM Secretariat, with many pledging to rally behind him at the Delegates’ Conference.
Akiiki’s manifesto promises to expand agricultural commercialization, establish youth innovation hubs, operationalize talent-to-market initiatives, and drive mineral value addition in Western Uganda and beyond.
With the vetting hurdle cleared, he now turns to consolidating support among delegates as the race for the powerful CEC seat heats up.
