Have a Resource Mobilization strategy and People driven agenda message to run a successful election campaign

By Lydiah Namayengo

I am glad to have been part of the Youth Civil Society Leadership and Mentorship Training Programme meeting that was held in modules that has emphasised prioritising young people and women in engaging in Transformational Leadership organized by UYONET facilitated by Solutions Africa.

This training had key modules that include Transformational Leadership, Resource Mobilization and Evidence – based Policy Advocacy and influence that are key modules for both youth CDOs and youth and women in Leadership which I related so. Much to politics and Governance especially the in the upcoming 2021 General election candidates.

As Resource Mobilization is a key factor in a CSO because it includes identifying key conventional and non conventional sources of resources, developing a resource mobilization framework that includes planning for resource mobilization and challenges of resource mobilisation: fundraising after understanding why we fundraise and several principles and tactics used in fundraising according to different stakeholders.

Like in civil society, Resource Mobilization is also very key in the political arena especially to a candidate that is seeking for a political office.

All candidates should have a clear Resource Mobilization strategy to use in fundraising resources so as to have a sustainable campaign as these all go hand in hand.

During the political arena where the government in power has made commercialization of politics be part of the status quo, one ought to be rightfully prepared with a more affordable, practical and sustainable Resou Mobilization strategy that does not only apply on the Election day but also from the pre – electoral period to even post election period incase u have any cases in court.

So all the 2021 hopeful candidates, how ready are u in terms of resource mobilization?! Have u developed a strategy that will provide the basics like posters, fuel, PA, sustain ur team, throughout the campaign trailas well as challenge the NRM goons that will splash money or even counteract their efforts toonetize the election.

Evidence – based Policy Advocacy and influence is about Plan for Action, Taking Action and Reflecting and Learning.

Plan for Action includes Analyzing problems, Research and data collection, and developing recommendations for key priority issues identified. As a leader, Do u have the capacity to analyse problems,do thorough research about them and collect comprehensive data about those issues to get solutions??

Taking Action is about Mobilizing Allies, Partners and Constituents: Choosing tactics, for Mobilizing resources and Developing Message to your target group.

As a candidate vying for 2021, have u identified who your allies are, have u chosen key technics and strategies on how to mobilize resources from ur partners and allies because no campaign can be a successful one without a clear focused practical Resource Mobilization strategy.

A Good message developed that can clearly communicate to the people and one that people can relate with is key for any candidate. In an era where we are emphasising people to Vote Issues but Not Wolokoso, is when we surely need a People driven agenda message that will be a solution to the Governance question in Uganda.

Reflecting and Learning is about monitoring and evaluating your progress. African Leadership Institute (AFLI) one of the renowned NGOs in Uganda established a Score Card for the Members of Parliament to assess their annual performance in the house that was a great idea before it got sabotaged by some MPs.

But still who monitors and evaluates the performance of local leaders like councilors, LC 1 to V to assess whether they are performing their legal mandate or not?!

Before we go into the next election, we should take precautionary measures to measure progress before we embark on the campaigns such that our people will already know who to embrace as their leader come the next election. In other words leaders should be vote because of their ability.

I implored these young leaders to utilise their organisations to advocate for justice and equality among all Ugandans while making some ky note remarks in the meeting.

We therefore had to cut a cake to celebrate having finished three out of five modules that brought smiles to the participants faces.

#ProgressForAllLeadersMustMeasured.

#ResourceMobilizationMustBePrioritised