Kassanda, Uganda: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Monday swept the youth parish council elections in Kassanda District, clinching 694 out of 764 seats, a staggering 90.8%, in a major show of grassroots strength ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The polls, held on July 7, 2025, covered 15 sub-counties and town councils. The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), which had made gains in 2021, managed just 70 seats, suffering heavy defeats even in its perceived strongholds of Nalutuntu and Kalwana, the home turf of NUP MPs Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South) and Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (Kassanda North).
In Nalutuntu Sub-County, Kabuye’s base, NUP secured just 2 of 36 seats. In Kalwana, where Nsamba hails from, NUP captured 28 out of 72. Meanwhile, the NRM swept all seats in Mbilizi, Myanzi, Manyogaseka, Kamuli, and Kitumbi, and dominated Kiganda Town Council with 88 out of 90 seats.
Kassanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ms Phoebe Namulindwa, confirmed that the elections were conducted peacefully, praising the youth for their discipline and civic engagement.
Dr. Michael Bukenya Kyabikoola, who chairs the NRM District Executive Committee, credited the landslide win to deep-rooted grassroots mobilization and the appeal of President Museveni’s flagship economic programs.
“The youth have reaffirmed NRM’s leadership. Our focus on poverty alleviation and service delivery resonates,” Dr. Bukenya said while addressing party structures in Kassanda Town Council.
The party’s decisive victory follows closely on the heels of President Yoweri Museveni’s recent tour of Kassanda, during which he pledged infrastructure improvements, electrification, and expanded telecommunication services, promises that appear to have resonated with rural voters.
Political analyst Dr. Sarah Nakiganda noted that the results underscore NUP’s struggle to maintain rural momentum.
“NUP’s urban appeal hasn’t translated here. NRM’s delivery on tangible projects gives them an edge,” Nakiganda said.
Despite efforts by Hon. Kabuye, including a “Protest Vote Campaign” launched in June, NUP was unable to counter NRM’s entrenched rural networks. The party’s visibility and messaging remained strong in urban constituencies but failed to gain traction in rural Kassanda, analysts say.
While critics have raised concerns over the ruling party’s influence through RDCs and local governance structures, Namulindwa insisted that the process was fair and transparent, calling on all candidates to prioritize post-election unity.
The outcome signals a renewed NRM surge in Kassanda District, with far-reaching implications for NUP’s prospects in the 2026 elections. Both Kabuye and Nsamba, though currently silent, are now under pressure to reaffirm their political footing as the ruling party gains momentum.
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