Amb Barbara Nekesa Oundo
By Johannah Nantongo
When Amb Barbara Nekesa Oundo assumed the office of National Treasurer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), she inherited an important responsibility: safeguarding the party’s resources while ensuring that its extensive structures across the country were adequately facilitated to execute their activities.
As a mass political organisation with structures stretching from the national level to villages, NRM requires an efficient, transparent and accountable financial management system. Managing such an extensive network demands more than the mobilisation of resources; it requires proper planning, prudent expenditure, effective controls and timely disbursement of funds.
Over the period she has served as National Treasurer, Nekesa has overseen a number of reforms aimed at strengthening the party’s financial administration and improving accountability.
One of the notable changes has been the reduction of cash-based financial transactions, particularly the practice of transporting large sums of money in bags for distribution through different party officials.
Under her stewardship, the party has increasingly embraced banking channels, with funds being transferred through designated bank accounts, including those serving party structures at the grassroots.
This approach provides a clearer financial trail, making it easier to establish how much money was released, who received it and when the transactions were made.
Another important achievement has been the improvement of transparency in the disbursement of party funds. Through official communication and financial circulars, party officials at different levels can establish the amounts allocated to their respective areas and the designated channels through which the funds should be received.
The changes have helped strengthen financial discipline and created a more structured approach to managing party resources.
Nekesa’s reform agenda also builds on initiatives she has previously outlined, including strengthening accountability systems, mainstreaming procurement, taking inventory of party assets and addressing outstanding financial obligations.
These measures have been important in improving the party’s administrative efficiency, including addressing challenges relating to delayed salaries, unpaid suppliers and accumulated rent arrears at district party offices.
Beyond financial administration, Nekesa has also demonstrated her political mobilisation capabilities.
During the recent general elections, she served as team leader for the Bukedi sub-region, coordinating NRM’s efforts across the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.
The region registered an enormous electoral victory, reflecting the effectiveness of the mobilisation efforts and coordination among party leaders and structures.
Her role in Bukedi demonstrated that her contribution to NRM extends beyond financial management. It also reflects her capacity to provide political leadership, coordinate teams and work with grassroots structures towards a common electoral objective.
For a party preparing to consolidate its political support and strengthen its organisational structures, the combination of sound financial management and effective political mobilisation is particularly important.
The National Treasurer’s office is central to the functioning of NRM. Resources must be properly managed, party activities adequately facilitated and financial obligations handled in a manner that sustains confidence among members and stakeholders.
Nekesa’s tenure has therefore been characterised by efforts to modernise financial processes, strengthen accountability, improve transparency and support the party’s political activities.
These achievements provide a basis for assessing her contribution to the party beyond public commentary and political debates.
Ultimately, a strong political organisation depends not only on its leadership and membership but also on the integrity and efficiency of the systems that manage its resources.
By strengthening financial controls while actively participating in the party’s electoral mobilisation, Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo has sought to make her office an important pillar of NRM’s institutional growth and political success.