By Nathan Eyagu 

Serere District - State Minister for Fisheries and Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Adoa, has officially launched her re-election campaign under the banner "Village to Village," as she seeks to reclaim the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag ahead of the upcoming party primaries.

The grassroots-centered campaign was flagged off in Bugondo Sub-county, drawing large crowds of supporters, NRM party structures, and local leaders. With a strategy centered on direct community engagement, Adoa aims to strengthen her connection with voters and address pressing local issues.

“This ‘Village to Village’ campaign is about listening to the people and working with them to develop our district. It is about unity, peace, and development,” Minister Adoa told supporters during the launch.

“We must make sure that Serere remains firmly in the hands of the NRM.”

The launch marks the beginning of what observers say will be a hotly contested race. Adoa faces two NRM challengers: Esther Lucy Acom and Florence Iyogil, both of whom have declared their intentions to unseat the incumbent in the party primaries. Political analysts suggest the competition could test party cohesion in the district.

Having served as Woman MP for Serere since 2016 and retained her cabinet post as State Minister for Fisheries, Adoa is relying on her development record and strong ties with President Museveni's administration to win over voters once again.

She highlighted achievements from her tenure, including lobbying for better healthcare services, support for educational programs, and boosting fisheries and agriculture in the district.

“I am proud of what we have achieved together. We’ve improved health facilities, supported farmers, and empowered our women and youth,” she said.

The “Village to Village” concept is gaining traction in Uganda’s rural politics, with candidates opting for intimate community engagements over grand rallies. Adoa’s campaign will feature door-to-door visits, village meetings, and listening sessions aimed at fostering local participation.

“This strategy ensures no village is left behind. People want to interact directly with their leaders, share their concerns, and feel involved in decision-making,” she added.

Supporters point to Adoa’s long-standing rapport with local leaders and grassroots structures as a key strength.

“Hon. Adoa has always been approachable. She knows our villages, and she’s been our voice in Kampala,” said Peter Emuron, an NRM mobilizer in Bugondo.

Despite her popularity, Adoa faces stiff competition. Esther Lucy Acom has been actively courting youth and women’s groups with promises to create jobs and prioritize education. She has also raised concerns about transparency in the use of government resources.

“We need leaders who are accountable. I am here to serve the people, not to enrich myself,” Acom said during a rally in Kyere Sub-county.

Meanwhile, Florence Iyogil has focused her message on unity and reconciliation within the party, cautioning against divisions that could weaken NRM’s position in the general elections.

“Let us compete peacefully and remember we are all NRM. The people will decide, and we must rally behind the winner,” Iyogil said in a recent radio interview.

The start of formal campaigns has prompted the NRM leadership in Serere to call for decorum among aspirants. Olobo Michael, the Serere District NRM Chairperson, reminded candidates to follow party guidelines and avoid incitement or personal attacks.

“The NRM stands for peace, democracy, and development. We expect a transparent and fair primary. Any aspirant found inciting violence or bribing voters will be disqualified,” Olobo stated.

In her closing remarks during the campaign launch, Adoa urged her supporters to uphold peace and focus on sharing her development vision.

“We are one family in Serere. Let us show the rest of Uganda that our politics can be mature and peaceful. Say no to insults, no to fights — let’s build Serere together.”

As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on the Serere NRM primaries — a race that promises to shape the political landscape in the district ahead of the 2026 general elections.