Inside Kakuru CEC Entrepreneurship Bid: What He Brings on Table

Senior Presidential Advisor on Trade, Phillip Kakuru, has thrown his hat in the ring for the position of National Chairman of the NRM Entrepreneurs League for the 2026–2031 term, indicating a bid not just for leadership but for practical transformation within the party’s economic empowerment structures.

This means his campaign also targets a seat on the powerful Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

Kakuru, a seasoned mobilizer and strategic thinker, met earlier this week with the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs and head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), SPA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye.

ONC Manager SPA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye with Kakuru early this week

Their discussion reportedly focused on critical issues including the empowerment of youth, job creation, and scaling up support for local entrepreneurs through government programs and ONC initiatives.

Mr. Kakuru, who has been an important figure in mobilizing the NRM Diaspora, echoed similar sentiments during a recent meeting with President Yoweri Museveni. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Uganda’s relationship with its global citizens and unlocking the potential of the diaspora in national development.

“We are looking at ways to organize strategic trade summits that can attract more investors to Uganda,” Kakuru said, suggesting that these summits would serve as platforms for international stakeholders to engage with Uganda’s growing market and connect with local entrepreneurs.

His campaign poster bears the slogan “The Voice” — a message that reflects his vision of championing the concerns and aspirations of Ugandan entrepreneurs, both at home and abroad, within the broader NRM framework.

With a strong background in trade facilitation and policy advisory, Kakuru brings to the table not only experience but a clear strategy for engaging the private sector, improving market access for SMEs, and linking youth-led enterprises to regional and global value chains.

As the NRM gears up for the 2025/2026 internal elections, Kakuru’s bid is gaining traction among party members who are eager to see the Entrepreneurs League take a more active role in shaping economic policy and offering real-time support to business-minded Ugandans.

If elected, he has pledged to work closely with government ministries, agencies, and development partners to ensure the Entrepreneurs League becomes a bridge between opportunity and access, particularly for Uganda’s youth and women entrepreneurs.