NRM pledges to refund Shs 64m youth funds stolen by Luwero officials

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat has promised to refund Shs 63.7 million that was allegedly embezzled by party officials in Luwero district during the recent village youth committee elections.

In June, the NRM disbursed the funds to facilitate its flagbearers in the June 19 youth committee polls. Each flagbearer was supposed to receive Shs 10,000 for transport, while sub-county youth chairpersons were allocated Shs 50,000 and registrars Shs 100,000 for mobilisation.

However, several intended beneficiaries across Luwero’s 624 villages reported that they never received their allowances. Instead, some district leaders are accused of diverting the funds for personal gain.

The scandal boiled over during a weekend meeting of more than 200 youths with NRM vice chairperson for Buganda region, Haruna Kasolo and deputy secretary general Rosemary Namayanja.

The meeting, called to mobilise for President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign launch set for September 30 at Bukalasa Agricultural College, was disrupted as youths demanded the stolen funds be refunded before the president’s visit.

Moses Majwega, NRM youth chairperson in Luwero, said many recipients were left empty-handed despite the money being disbursed. Other youths threatened to boycott mobilisation efforts, accusing district leaders of repeatedly pocketing allowances during party activities.

Namayanja acknowledged the scandal, revealing that the party had already replaced the district registrar, David Kamugisha, and administrator Maria Nayiga, and that police investigations were underway.

“The secretariat will refund the money as investigations continue,” Namayanja assured, urging the youths to continue mobilising for the party ahead of the 2026 general elections, citing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga as key achievements.

Kasolo, who also serves as state minister for microfinance, condemned the embezzlement and called for swift resolution, encouraging youths to turn up for Museveni’s campaign launch where he is expected to unveil his 2026–2031 manifesto. Cases of fund theft have dogged NRM activities in Luwero before.

During the 2021 general elections, Shs 29 million meant for NRM flagbearers for district councillor seats was similarly stolen by party executives.