Kassanda, Uganda: Leaders of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Buganda region have asked residents of Kassanda District to embrace unity and throw their full support behind President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all party flag bearers in the 2026 general elections in order to attract development and more government support to their area.
Speaking to thousands of supporters who gathered at Kyannamugera Playgrounds in Nalutunku Subcounty on Sunday, the NRM Vice Chairman for Buganda, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, said Kassanda’s past struggles in service delivery were a result of what he described as “wrong political choices.”
“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?” Kasolo asked, as the crowd cheered in approval.
The CEC Vice Chairman, who is also Minister of State for Microfinance, urged residents to back only NRM flag bearers, warning against independents and opposition candidates. “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.
He insisted that NRM was now stronger than ever, pledging overwhelming support for President Museveni in 2026. “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,” Kasolo stressed.
Bisaso Apologises to Museveni
At the same event, Kassanda South NRM flag bearer, Hon. Abdul Bisaso, apologised to President Museveni for the party’s poor performance in the last elections. “Your Excellency, we are sorry for letting you down. NRM lost in Kassanda 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, NRM was better organised and ready to reclaim all elective positions. “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 Kassanda,” he declared.
Bisaso urged voters to put President Museveni’s candidacy ahead of all others. “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,” he explained, likening opposition victories to “washing your clothes and then putting them back in the dust.”
Local leaders also raised concerns over escalating land grabbing, accusing some officials of evicting residents. Kasolo promised to follow up on the cases and called on NRM-leaning independents to step aside and rally behind the party’s flag bearers for the sake of unity.
Kalema Calls for Discipline and Teamwork
Former Kassanda LC5 Chairperson (2018–2021), Hajji Ziad Kalema, reminded residents that Kassanda, after attaining district status in 2018, was among the first to benefit from the government’s Emyooga programme.
He revealed that NRM leaders had earlier pledged to deliver the district overwhelmingly to President Museveni, but the 2021 outcome fell short. “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 recently lost the NRM primaries to Mr. Ssembuusi Drake, urged discipline and teamwork.
“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 said.
He appealed to residents to vote out the opposition and restore Kassanda 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.
Kasanda District Woman MP and NRM flag bearer, Hon. Natukunda Rebecca Mubangizi, thanked residents for their trust in the last 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, however, cautioned voters against repeating past mistakes. “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.
AG Kiryowa Pledges to Deliver Message to Museveni
The Attorney General, Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who was the chief guest at the rally, assured residents that their concerns would be taken to the highest levels 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 also reiterated the previous speakers’ message, warning against supporting the opposition. “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 said.
Kiryowa also announced government plans to upgrade the 65-kilometre Myanzi–Kiboga road to tarmac, a project he said would transform trade and transport in the region. “This road project is underway and will transform transport and trade in this region. It is a priority for the government,” he said.
On land matters, Kiwanuka was categorical: “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 pledged.
Resident District Commissioner Phoebe Namulindwa affirmed the district’s resolve, stating, “Kassanda is ready to show its support for President Museveni.” As the sun set over the playground, the crowd’s pledges of loyalty echoed, positioning Kassanda as a cornerstone of NRM’s 2026 strategy. The rally not only boosts party morale but also sets a powerful precedent for future mobilizations, signaling a resurgent NRM poised to shape Uganda’s political future.
The rally attracted a host of leaders, including Hon. Tayebwa Didas, the NRM flag bearer for Kooki Constituency in Rakai District, Hon. Cissy Namujju from Lwengo, Hon. Muyanja Muhammad Ssentayi, alongside several MPs and party officials from the Buganda region. They all echoed calls for unity, loyalty, and mobilisation.
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