This week, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) conducted hotly contested elections for its Central Executive Committee (CEC) — the party’s most powerful decision-making organ.
The elections, which reportedly saw billions of shillings spent by ambitious candidates, reshaped the party’s leadership. Several seasoned incumbents were swept aside, while new faces emerged victorious. But as has often been the case, the aftermath has been marred by complaints of vote buying, corruption, and misuse of money, leaving many defeated candidates bitter and frustrated.
Yet, amidst the noise, one minister has struck a different tone.
Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, known for his candid and often humorous remarks, offered some unusual advice to the disappointed candidates. Instead of mourning their losses, Balaam urged them to tap into government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) program as a way to rebuild.
“Whoever has lost, you can go and get PDM money. Go and get that Shs1m for PDM and invest in poultry or piggery, and start earning,” Balaam said shortly after the CEC election results were announced.
The PDM program is one of government’s flagship poverty alleviation initiatives, with each parish allocated Shs100m to support small-scale investment projects aimed at uplifting local communities. Ironically, critics point out, this is the same figure controversially handed to Members of Parliament to pass unpopular laws such as the Coffee Bill and the UPDF Bill — a decision that has raised serious questions about NRM’s priorities.
Nevertheless, Balaam insisted the money should be seen as an opportunity, even for politicians who lose elections.
“Those who have lost should go home. There are better projects you can do. You can now peacefully go and start rearing pigs in your villages,” the minister added, stressing that politics is not the only pathway to success.
Beyond his advice, Balaam also celebrated the victory of Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, who defeated cabinet minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi to become the new NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda. He described Akiiki’s win as a historic moment for Bunyoro region, noting that the seat had once been held by Maj Gen (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, before Baryomunsi unseated him in 2020.
According to Balaam, Akiiki’s victory was proof that political tides are unpredictable, and that no leader should take their position for granted.
The CEC elections once again underscored the fierce competition within NRM, where money, loyalty, and influence often collide. While winners are celebrating, losers are warning that unchecked corruption and vote buying could weaken the party’s credibility ahead of 2026.
Still, Balaam’s message stood out: politics is not the only way to live a successful life. For him, those who fail at the ballot should redirect their energy into productive ventures such as farming, using opportunities like the PDM program.
As the dust settles, one lesson is clear: not everyone can win in politics. But as Balaam’s piggery-and-poultry advice reminds us, life does go on beyond the corridors of power — and perhaps, true success may be found not in offices, but in creating wealth back home.
