Published on 04/09/2025
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders from Buganda Region have today convened at Hotel Africana, Kampala, for a high-level caucus aimed at consolidating support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and party flag bearers ahead of 2026 general elections.
The meeting, chaired by the newly elected NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, has drawn together Members of Parliament, party flag bearers, district chairpersons, Resident District and City Commissioners (RDCs and RCCs), DISOs, municipal mayors, and other grassroots leaders.
Also present are Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who served as Chief Guest, former Vice Chairperson for Central Region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi, Kampala Central Mayor Salim Uhuru, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Former Attorney general, Fred Ruhindi, Kiboga District woman MP Aspirant Desire Muhooza among others.
The caucus is focused on two critical goals: rallying overwhelming support for President Museveni and NRM candidates under the ” Buganda Ku Museveni” campaign and reconciling with primary losers to prevent splits caused by independent bids.
Speaking during the session, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo who also doubles as State Minister for Microfinance underscored the urgency of unity in the region.
“This meeting is about building a stronger and more united NRM family in Central Region . We cannot afford the divisions of the past. Our mission is to deliver President Museveni and NRM flag bearers with resounding victories across all levels including, parliamentary, local government, and presidential,” Hon. Kasolo said.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, while addressing delegates, urged leaders to prioritize the collective interests of the party over personal ambition.
“The Central Region holds the key to President Museveni’s victory. But that victory is only possible if we work as one. Running as independents weakens us. Let us put the party first, put the people first, and stand firmly behind the chosen flag bearers,” Kiwanuka said further calling upon candidates planning to contest as independents to join forces with chosen flag bearers and serve the people.
Former Vice Chairperson Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi emphasized the importance of improving the NRM’s performance in Buganda compared to the 2021 elections.
“This meeting is only the beginning of a series of engagements that will move us from 38% support in 2021 to at least 85% in 2026. Our target is clear: out of the 105 parliamentary seats in the Central Region, we must secure at least 80. To achieve that, those who lost primaries must put aside disappointment and rally behind the official candidates. That is how we serve the people and strengthen the NRM party,” Kiwanda said.
In the same vein, Buvuma County MP, Hon Robert Migadde Ndugwa, who is the Chairperson of the NRM Buganda Caucus, warned against infighting, noting that divisions in 2021 cost the party dearly in several subregions. “In the last election, we only managed to win in Greater Mubende. But in Greater Mukono, Greater Mpigi, Greater Masaka, and others, we lost miserably. That cannot happen again,” he said.
On his part, Mr Salim Uhuru Nsubuga, the newly elected NRM Vice Chairman for Kampala, declared that all party flag bearers in the capital would serve as frontline mobilizers for President Museveni’s re-election bid. “This is our moment to show that the flag was not given to us in vain. We must be vibrant, united, and visible as we deliver votes for our party leader,” he urged.
The meeting concluded with a set of far-reaching resolutions to guide mobilisation efforts across Buganda. Members unanimously pledged to rally support for President Museveni as NRM’s presidential flag bearer and committed to fully embrace the “Buganda Ku Museveni” campaign under the stewardship of the regional caucus.
In a major breakthrough, 80 candidates who had participated in the primaries agreed not to stand as independents, instead pledging to back NRM flag bearers at both parliamentary and district chairperson levels. Delegates further resolved to maintain open engagement with those affected by the primaries to achieve reconciliation and strengthen party unity.
To deepen the party’s appeal, leaders undertook to return immediately to the grassroots to monitor implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government programs, ensuring they deliver visible impact in communities.
The caucus also set ambitious electoral targets to secure at least 85 percent of the presidential vote in Buganda, while winning 80 of the region’s 105 parliamentary seats. To safeguard the vote, the members resolved to deploy trusted cadres from within their own communities as agents and vote protectors, rather than relying on individuals from outside areas.
The meeting was attended by top party figures, including Deputy SG Rt. Hon. Rosemary Namayanja, Director of Mobilization Hon Rose Sseninde, Ministers Judith Nabakooba, Aisha Ssekindi, Hanifa Kawooya, Rtd. Maj Gen Emmanuel Rwashande, former Attorney General Fred Ruhindi, and several district leaders from Buganda.
