In a bid to deepen its grassroots mobilisation strategy ahead of the 2026 general elections, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has officially embraced the creative arts sector as a vehicle for political messaging, launching a new umbrella group for party-affiliated musicians.
Dubbed the Movement Combined Artistes Association, the initiative brings together pro-NRM artists to promote government programs and achievements through music, drama, and other creative forms. The association is led by singer Emma Nsereko, popularly known as Munamasaka.
The NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, while commissioning the association at the party’s Secretariat on June 4, underscored the power of music in communicating complex political messages to ordinary citizens.
“A message passed through music goes deeper and speaks to the soul. We often use complicated English that many cannot understand, but music breaks that barrier,” Todwong said. “When you sing about peace, stability, and development under the NRM, it resonates with people at the grassroots level.”
Todwong also revealed that the party is planning a national competition to create an official NRM anthem — a move aimed at strengthening the party’s cultural identity.
“As a party, we don’t have an anthem yet, and we want that to come from the people. It will be a competitive process, and the winner will give us a unifying party anthem,” he added.
The launch of the association marks a strategic shift in the ruling party’s communication approach, placing greater emphasis on youth engagement and artistic expression in political discourse.
NRM Director for Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Dombo, emphasized the role of music and art in bridging the communication gap between policymakers and citizens.
“Art is an effective tool for mobilisation. Through this association, we shall not only deliver the NRM message creatively, but also build a platform for young talents who believe in the party’s vision,” Dombo said. “We must simplify the manifesto and government programs into music and share them on social media. That’s how we meet the youth where they are.”
Dombo also urged transparency and unity among the artists, warning against internal divisions that have marred similar efforts in the past.
“The president has supported musicians before, but disputes over funds and leadership have often emerged. This time, let there be transparency and respect so that your art speaks for the party and the country,” Dombo noted.
He pointed to disorganisation and infighting among opposition-aligned artists as a cautionary tale, adding that the NRM intends to learn from those mistakes.
Munamasaka, the association’s chairperson, pledged to rally more artists under the NRM umbrella and champion government programs through performance and media outreach.
“We thank the party leadership for embracing us. We shall work hard to interpret NRM’s achievements and deliver them to the population in language they understand — through music and drama,” he said.
The formation of the Movement Combined Artistes Association reflects a broader trend in Ugandan politics, where the lines between entertainment and political activism are increasingly blurred. For the NRM, this signals a calculated move to tap into the influence of celebrity culture to solidify its appeal among the youth.
As Uganda moves closer to the 2026 elections, the success of this creative mobilisation drive may determine how effectively the ruling party can connect with new voters in an evolving digital and cultural landscape.
