Zombo NRM candidates defy party directives on joint campaigns for solo drives

Zombo, Uganda: National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary candidates in Zombo District have resolved to abandon the party’s directive for joint campaigns, opting instead to canvass support individually ahead of the July 17 primaries.

The decision follows weeks of uncertainty and heated debate among aspirants over logistical challenges, delayed facilitation, and concerns that joint meetings would not reach a meaningful proportion of voters.

Zombo District NRM Registrar Priska Unegiu confirmed the shift in strategy on Sunday, July 06, citing the lack of funds as a major obstacle to implementing the joint campaign plan outlined under Article 4 of the NRM constitution.

“We have agreed there will be no joint campaigns. The main reason is that there is no facilitation, no finance to support joint campaigns,” Unegiu told candidates and their agents during a convention held at Zombo District headquarters.

Joint campaigns were initially scheduled to run from July 1 to July 14 across all sub-counties and town councils, but many candidates had already resorted to door-to-door outreach on their own as the feasibility of coordinated rallies grew doubtful.

Alex Jagenu, an MP aspirant for Oraa County, dismissed the value of joint campaigns, arguing they would not provide meaningful engagement with voters. “I don’t see the value of joint campaigns now that will take me to the sub-county headquarters. The electorates are not even 10 percent,” he said.

LC candidates maintain joint campaigns

In contrast, candidates contesting the LC5 chairperson race will proceed with joint campaigns, which they believe offer an opportunity to debate and showcase their agendas in a competitive environment.

Mr. Angala Pascal Apenjunga, vying for the LC5 seat, said collective platforms would allow voters to compare candidates and scrutinize their records. “The MPs agreed to go individually, but for us we are going as a group so that I can strip the nakedness of my colleagues bare and serve the district better,” Apenjunga remarked.

The NRM campaigns are expected to run daily from 8 am to 6 pm under strict guidelines on traffic management and prohibitions on transporting large crowds on trucks and motorcycles.

Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua assured candidates that security agencies are fully prepared to safeguard the process.

“The security in Zombo is more than ready. We didn’t come to sleep. My request is that candidates work with security. Election is not a blank cheque; it has rules and regulations,” Ayikobua said.

Voting will take place July 17th at 751 NRM polling stations across the district.