The National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership in Buganda has initiated a campaign to reclaim the region through district-level mobilization strategies.
Led by the newly appointed NRM vice chairman for Buganda, Haruna Kasolo, party leaders convened a meeting at Hotel Africana in Kampala to strategize and ensure President Museveni’s victory in the region in the 2026 elections.
In the 2021 general elections, NRM suffered significant losses in Buganda, with the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, securing a substantial victory.
During the meeting, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka urged former NRM candidates who lost in party primaries to support the official winners to strengthen party unity.
“We must refrain from supporting independent candidates. Why should a leader back an independent when the party has an official candidate, simply because they dislike the winner?” Kiryowa questioned.
He further encouraged independents considering withdrawing their candidacies to publicly declare their commitment, promising to forward their names to the party chairman.
“Whoever declares they will not run as an independent should state so in this meeting. I assure you, the president will listen and reward your loyalty,” Kiryowa stated. Several candidates made their declarations on the spot.
Haruna Kasolo, the meeting’s convener, expressed optimism about reclaiming Buganda, citing lessons learned from past mistakes.
“It is entirely possible to reclaim Buganda because the opposition has achieved little this term and has nothing substantial to show,” Kasolo asserted.
The meeting was attended by NRM cardholders, defeated candidates, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and their deputies, senior NRM leadership, and other stakeholders. The team plans to travel across Buganda to mobilize grassroots support.
