Kampala, Uganda: Leaders and members of the NRM Buganda Caucus have urged unity and reconciliation among flag bearers and losers of the party primaries as the surest path to delivering a historic victory in the 2026 general elections.
During the consultative meeting organized by newly elected NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region Hon Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo at Hotel African in Kampala, more than 500 participants, including incumbent MPs, district chairpersons, RDCs, RCCs, DISOs, and flag bearers across Buganda all agreed that party cohesion at all levels, presidential, parliamentary, and local government, is critical if the ruling NRM is to reclaim dominance in Buganda, a region long viewed as an opposition stronghold.
Hon Kasolo, who also doubles as State Minister for Microfinance, rallied flag bearers to extend an olive branch to colleagues who lost in the primaries, stressing that bitterness and disunity would give the opposition leverage.
“President Museveni has many rooms in his house. We shall ensure that everyone who lost in the primaries is accommodated with a role. The NRM is bigger than an individual, and reconciliation is our path to over 90% victory in Buganda,” he said.
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.
Hon Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, former NRM Vice Chairman for Central, reminded members that disunity after primaries has historically weakened the party in Buganda. He pointed to his decision to step down for Kasolo in the CEC race as an example.
“When we put the party above ourselves, we all win. That is the spirit we must embrace heading into 2026,” Kiwanda said.
Uganda’s Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who graced the meeting as chief guest, warned that divisions within the ruling party would undermine its target of securing over 85% support in Buganda. “We must not hand the opposition victories on a silver platter. If we remain united, no other force can outcompete us in Buganda,” he stressed.
The NRM Buganda Caucus resolved to launch grassroots reconciliation drives in every district within 60 days, including mechanisms to address land disputes, one of the opposition’s strongest mobilization tools. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deliver at least 80% for President Museveni in Buganda, branding it a defining comeback for the ruling party in the region.
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.
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