Fort Portal, Uganda: The presidential candidate of the National Peasant Party (NPP), Robert Kasibante, has for the third consecutive time failed to appear at scheduled campaign rallies, leaving supporters frustrated and questioning his commitment to the 2026 race.
On Thursday, Monitor reported that Kasibante was expected to hold rallies in Kyenjojo District before proceeding to Fort Portal City for an afternoon address, but he did not turn up. In a later interview with the local daily, the presidential candidate attributed his absence to unspecified “challenges” encountered while traveling from Kampala.
“I had reached Zigote in Mityana District and got some challenges, so I canceled the journey. Let me see if I can make it tomorrow [Friday] for Kabarole District, where I am expected,” Kasibante explained.
This follows similar no-shows earlier in the week. On Wednesday, he missed planned rallies in Mubende and Kyegegwa districts, and on Monday, he failed to appear in Mityana and Kasanda districts.
Despite a clearly issued campaign schedule by the Electoral Commission, Kasibante has not conducted a single rally since the official start of the campaign season.
Local voters in Fort Portal expressed disappointment after waiting in vain for the candidate. Some accused him of lacking an advance team to mobilize supporters, prepare venues, and communicate schedule changes.
“We were happily waiting to share our demands if he got the mandate to lead. He was supposed to be the first presidential candidate to visit Fort Portal and Tooro sub-region, but he never came,” said Joshua Arinaitwe, a resident of Kisenyi in Fort Portal.
Arinaitwe added, “If he has financial challenges, he should declare them openly to Ugandans. The Electoral Commission needs to look into this issue. If he cannot proceed with the campaign, his nomination should be canceled.”
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