By Nathan Eyagu 

KATAKWI, UGANDA — Daniel Mulalu, the Private Secretary in charge of Political Mobilization to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Executive Director of the Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation, has officially declared his intention to contest in the upcoming National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for the Ngariam County parliamentary seat.

In an exclusive interview, Mulalu addressed mounting speculation over his political trajectory and firmly dismissed claims suggesting he would run as an independent.

“I am going to contest under the NRM, and I am confident I will win with a big margin,” he affirmed. “Those propagandists will be ashamed. The President has already cleared my resignation letter, and I am coming. I call upon the people of Ngariam not to participate in election violence.”

The statement brings clarity to weeks of political uncertainty surrounding Mulalu’s status and dispels rumors that had circulated within political circles and on social media platforms.

A veteran mobilizer and long-serving member of the NRM, Mulalu emphasized his unwavering commitment to the ruling party, tracing his active engagement back to 2011. He has since served on the NRM National Taskforce, representing the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions in various political mobilization campaigns.

“I work directly under the Office of the President, who is also the National Chairman of the NRM Party,” Mulalu said. “My track record is clear, and the people know who I am and what I stand for.”

He accused political opponents of orchestrating deliberate misinformation campaigns out of fear of his growing grassroots influence.

“Let the people of Ngariam listen to me directly or read my verified statements. Political cowards are circulating falsehoods because they fear what I represent — change, service, and a youth-driven agenda,” he remarked.

Mulalu further called on political rivals to elevate public discourse by engaging on critical development issues instead of resorting to smear campaigns.

“Let them come and tell the people what they plan to do. Let’s debate development, health, roads, youth employment — not lies and character assassination.”

With the 2026 general elections on the horizon, the NRM primaries in Ngariam are shaping up to be highly competitive. Mulalu is expected to face incumbent MP and Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang, along with fellow State House official Augustine Otuko.

Despite the formidable lineup, Mulalu appeared confident, citing strong support among the electorate and pointing to his recent grassroots mobilization successes.

“We massively won by an overwhelming 89%, despite the money that was spent. That brings joy to me,” he noted, referencing recent internal NRM grassroots elections. “Those who wanted to cause confusion were put to shame by God.”

He attributed the victory to a shared desire among voters for practical, development-oriented leadership and praised those elected as champions of transformation.

At the center of Mulalu’s political platform is the Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation, a community-based initiative that promotes youth employment, vocational training, and local development. The program has gained momentum across the Teso sub-region, particularly among the youth and women.

“Kazi Ni Kazi is not just a slogan. It’s a movement to empower our people through work, dignity, and opportunity,” Mulalu said. “I am entering this race to amplify that vision and bring services closer to our communities.”

As he prepares to officially launch his campaign, Mulalu urged for a peaceful and inclusive election process.

“Let us not allow elections to divide us. Ngariam is our home, and we all want to see it move forward. Let’s compete with ideas, not fists.”

Now cleared by the President to resign from his current role, Mulalu’s entry into the race signals a new chapter in Katakwi’s political arena. Analysts believe the Ngariam primaries could become one of the most closely watched races in the Teso sub-region, featuring a dynamic blend of seasoned leaders and ambitious youth-driven challengers.

Whether Mulalu’s grassroots momentum and development credentials will be enough to unseat the incumbent remains to be seen — but what is certain is that Ngariam’s political landscape is in for a high-stakes contest that may redefine its future representation.