Published on 14/09/2025
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has intensified its grassroots mobilisation campaign in Kasanda District, with senior leaders urging residents to rally behind President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all party flag bearers ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing thousands of supporters at Kyanamugera Playgrounds in Nalutunku Subcounty, on Sunday afternoon, the newly elected NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) Vice Chairman for Buganda, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, led a powerful appeal for unity and loyalty within the party.
Kasolo told the gathering that Kasanda had for long lagged behind in service delivery and development because of what he termed as “wrong political choices” in previous elections.
“President Museveni has always appealed to you to vote for people he knows and trusts, because that is how your share comes. But when you vote for opposition leaders, how do you expect your share to reach you? The last five years you have received nothing because you voted for people the President does not understand,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
The CEC Vice Chairman urged residents to support only NRM flag bearers, warning that independents and opposition candidates had nothing to offer the people.
“If you want something from God, do you send Priests or Satan? In the same way, if you want development, you cannot vote for the opposition. They only go to enrich themselves instead of working for you,” he said.
Kasolo emphasized that the NRM was now stronger than ever, adding that President Museveni would win overwhelmingly in 2026 across the country.
“In the North, they will vote for President Museveni. In Karamoja, the same. Even in Eastern Uganda, FDC that was once strong is now divided. In Greater Mubende, the President won by a big margin, but here in Kasanda the turnout was low. This time, we shall move together with the President and all flag bearers,” Kasolo said.
He used a metaphor to drive his message home: “You cannot buy MTN airtime and put it in an Airtel phone, it won’t work. That is what happens when you vote opposition and expect to benefit from government programmes. It cannot work,” he told supporters.
On the contentious issue of land, local leaders accused some area leaders of grabbing villages, leaving residents at risk of eviction. Kasolo however pledged to follow up on these cases and urged all NRM-leaning independents to desist from standing as independents, but rather rally behind party flag bearers for the sake of unity.
Bisaso Apologises to Museveni
Kassanda South NRM flag bearer, Hon. Abdul Bisaso, struck a conciliatory tone as he openly apologised to President Museveni for what he described as a disappointing performance in the last elections.
“Your Excellency, we are sorry for letting you down. NRM lost in Kasanda because it was a new district without structures, without an RDC, and without coordination. That gap cost us dearly,” Bisaso said.
He assured supporters that this time round, NRM was prepared to reclaim all elective positions in the district.
“We now have the structures, the experience, and the will. I want to promise you that in 2026, NRM will overwhelmingly win all positions in Kasanda. We have what it takes to win,” he said.
Bisaso further rallied voters to prioritise President Museveni’s candidacy before considering any other.
“Before voting for me, please first vote for President Museveni. Even if I win as an MP and the President loses here, I will have nothing to give back to you, because you cannot get anything from the opposition. It is like washing your clothes and then putting them back in the dust. Let us all rally behind the President first, then support all our flag bearers,” he explained.
Hajji Ziad Kalema Calls for Discipline
Former Kasanda District LC5 Chairperson (2018–2021), Hajji Ziad Kalema, reminded residents that Kasanda became a district in 2018 and was among the first beneficiaries of the government’s Emyooga initiative.
He revealed that NRM leaders had earlier pledged to deliver the district overwhelmingly to President Museveni, but the 2021 outcome fell short of that promise.
“We had assured the President that Kasanda would give him massive support. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and NRM managed to win only one Member of Parliament. That was a big setback,” Kalema said.
Kalema, who lost the recent NRM primaries to Mr. Ssembusi Drake, called for discipline and teamwork among party candidates.
“We must be disciplined if we want to win. I was very impressed when Drake called me to ask for guidance on what to include in his report. That is the spirit we need, respect and consultation among ourselves,” he added.
He appealed to residents to vote out the opposition and restore Kasanda as an NRM stronghold.
“This district must return to the President. We must vote for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers if we want development,” he said.
Natukunda Appeals to Voters
Kasanda District Woman MP and NRM flag bearer, Hon. Natukunda Rebecca Mubangizi, also thanked residents for the overwhelming support she had received in the past elections.
“I want to sincerely thank you, our voters, for trusting me and voting for me in large numbers. It shows your confidence in the NRM and in my leadership,” she said.
She urged voters to vote for all NRM-leaning candidates and avoid independents, warning that divided votes had cost the party dearly in Buganda during the 2021 elections.
“Let us not repeat the same mistake. Voting independents weakens our party. Please vote for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all our flag bearers so that we can achieve total victory,” she said.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s Pledge
The Attorney General of Uganda, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who was the chief guest at the rally, promised residents that their concerns would be addressed at the highest level of the party.
“I have listened to your cries, and I assure you we shall sit down with the National Chairman, President Museveni, and find lasting solutions to your problems,” he said.
He cautioned against supporting the opposition, arguing that it would isolate the district from government programmes.
“When you vote for the opposition, you are voting against your own development. Opposition leaders oppose every government programme, and you cannot expect service delivery through them,” Kiwanuka warned.
The Attorney General announced that the government had already embarked on surveying and preparatory works for the 65-kilometre stretch of road from Myanzi to Kiboga, which he said would soon be upgraded to tarmac.
“This road project is underway and will transform transport and trade in this region. It is a priority for government,” he assured.
On land issues, Kiwanuka was firm. “No one has the right to evict people from their land. If a landlord is unhappy with tenants, let them come to government and we shall find a way of compensating them. But no illegal evictions will be tolerated,” he said, promising to personally follow up on reported cases.
Other leaders present included Hon. Tayebwa Didas, the NRM flag bearer for Kooki Constituency in Rakai District, Hon. Cissy Namujju from Lwengo, Hon. Muyanja Muhammad Ssentayi, several MPs and party officials from Buganda region, who echoed similar calls for unity, loyalty, and mobilisation.
The rally concluded with renewed pledges from party leaders to strengthen grassroots structures, resolve internal divisions, and ensure that Kasanda and Buganda at large deliver overwhelming support for President Museveni and the NRM in 2026.
