Published on 31/07/2025
A passionate engineer, policy expert, and community mobilizer Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki recently declared his intention to contest for the position of National Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
His candidacy, rooted in technocratic competence and grassroots credibility, is seen as a bold step toward reorienting the party’s leadership toward science-driven development, youth empowerment, and national industrialization.
A decorated professional with over a decade of experience in Uganda’s extractive and infrastructure sectors, Asiimwe brings a wealth of academic and industry insight to the political arena.
He is a registered petroleum consultant with the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, a founding member of the Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers Uganda (IMMPE-U), and Executive Director of Jonard Conglomerate Investments Ltd. He is also pursuing a PhD in Oil & Gas Stakeholder Engagement, with previous master’s degrees in Oil and Gas Governance and Project Management from the University of Liverpool.
But beyond academic credentials, Asiimwe is emphasizing results-driven leadership — anchored in grassroots transformation and a pan-Ugandan footprint.
“My ambition is not just about representing Western Uganda” Asiimwe said during a press engagement in Kampala. “It is about connecting Western Uganda to a broader national vision — one that industrializes, unifies, and empowers every citizen especially the youths through the founding values of the NRM.”
A National Builder With A Grassroots Reach
Asiimwe has developed an impressive track record across Uganda’s regions. In Eastern Uganda, particularly in Iganga and Busia, he has worked closely with sugarcane farmers to improve agricultural productivity and mobilize cooperatives. He has mentored students in schools like Kasokoso Primary, Top Care, and Busia Forward S.S., equipping them with career guidance and science education. His interventions also target youth at risk of economic vulnerability, encouraging them to abandon smuggling in favor of entrepreneurship and formal trade.
In Karamoja, he has been instrumental in converting informal miners into organized cooperatives, particularly through partnerships with RUPA Trust, where he helped build local capacity in cement and mineral extraction. In Northern Uganda, under the NERAMP initiative, Asiimwe supported the upgrading of trade infrastructure and strategic transport corridors connecting Soroti and Tororo.
In his native Western Uganda, he has led advocacy for responsible mining of high-value minerals like tin, tungsten, and tantalum, while also mentoring youth in trades linked to the oil and gas value chain. His initiatives have created local employment opportunities and linked rural economies to national markets.
Empowerment Through Action
As Chairman of the Jonard Group of Companies, Asiimwe has championed vocational training, school feeding programs, classroom renovations, and job creation across Uganda. His “Katunyumye” civic radio program in Bunyoro reached thousands with education on governance, health, and rights, while his financial backing for football clubs such as Kitara FC and Kampala Queens underscores his investment in youth talents development and community spirit.
“I believe leadership is not just about titles. It’s about changing lives. It’s about proving that technical expertise can sit at the same table with political will — and deliver,” Asiimwe noted.
A Vision For Western Uganda And Beyond
As he seeks to represent Western Uganda on the NRM’s CEC, Asiimwe says his immediate focus will be revamping youth employment, skilling programs, and agribusiness in the region. He plans to introduce science-based community projects, increase funding for cooperative groups, and push for industrial parks in sugar and cement-producing districts.
He also pledges to advocate for constitutional reforms within the NRM, emphasizing transparent leadership, internal democracy, and inclusive policy-making.
“I am because you are, and you are because I am,” Asiimwe said, borrowing the Ubuntu philosophy. “My campaign is not a solo race — it is a movement to ensure that the entire Western Uganda is no longer on the side lines of national progress.”
Why Ugandans Should Vote Jonard Asiimwe
Ugandans, particularly the youth and rural communities, see in Asiimwe a new kind of leader—one who combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of grassroots realities.
His hands-on approach to problem-solving, track record in job creation, and commitment to science-led development make him uniquely equipped to tackle the challenges facing both Western Uganda and the nation at large.
Furthermore, voters resonate with his message of inclusive growth, transparency, and practical leadership that delivers real results—not just promises. In an era where citizens are demanding substance over slogans, Jonard Asiimwe offers a rare blend of vision, integrity, and action.
As the August 2025 NRM National Delegates Conference approaches, Asiimwe’s candidacy adds intellectual weight and strategic foresight to what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential internal elections in the party’s recent history.
