Basalirwa Urges JEEMA Members to Stay Committed Despite Political Pressures

JEEMA President Asuman Basalirwa has called on party members to remain loyal and steadfast despite political challenges and the party’s limited representation in Parliament.

Addressing the JEEMA National Executive Committee (NEC) in Kampala, Basalirwa highlighted the importance of persistence, citing his own journey of contesting four times before finally securing a parliamentary seat.

> “In 2001, I ran and received just one vote. I don’t even know whose vote it was,” he recounted, adding that he never abandoned JEEMA despite the shifting political tides in the country.

He reflected on navigating major political waves, including the Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala surge, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) rise, and the National Unity Platform (NUP) movement, emphasizing that he never switched loyalty from JEEMA.

As the party’s only parliamentary representative, Basalirwa praised members preparing to carry the JEEMA flag in the upcoming elections and paid tribute to the late Hussein Kyanjo for his dedication and resilience.

> “Kyanjo never turned away from the party, even after failing his first attempt. At that time, the Democratic Party was very strong, yet he remained loyal to JEEMA,” Basalirwa noted.

He also acknowledged the pressures smaller parties face to merge or align with larger movements, stressing that loyalty is essential.

> “There are many temptations, but I am proud to be a JEEMA member,” he said.

Basalirwa highlighted financial challenges for smaller parties and shared that he has advocated for fair funding through the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), particularly during election periods, though progress has been slow.

Founded in 1996, JEEMA continues to maintain a steady presence in Uganda’s political landscape despite its modest parliamentary numbers.