Inside Busoga’s high-stakes campaign season: It’s all about money, malwa and mobilization

Kamuli, Uganda: It’s all systems go as Uganda’s campaign season shifts into full gear, with political camps across Busoga cranking up the heat in a race where strategy, cash, and persuasion could determine who crosses the finish line.

Veteran politician and diplomat Ambassador Moses Kizige captures the moment aptly: “We have two categories of campaigners, Abawagizi (supporters) and Abalonzi (actual voters). You can have massive crowds but few real voters. Just like football, it’s not about dribbling or possession; it’s about goals scored.”

Across Kamuli and Buyende districts, the rhythm of politics has turned into booming business, from malwa joints to poster printers, social media handlers, and boda boda groups. Everyone wants a piece of the campaign cash flow.

The trending slogan now is a blunt one: “Azira sente tafumita lindazi, ate azira amaani tagwa eilalu,” loosely translated as “no money, no vote.” For many candidates, that means digging deep beyond slogans to convince and retain the ever-demanding electorate.

Team Museveni mobilizer Anthony Kayiira Kitayunjwa says the President’s outreach strategy, targeting ghettos, prostitutes, and malwa drinkers, was deliberate and effective.

“If the church can’t come to you, you go to the church. It’s the candidate who needs the voter, not the other way round. You must stoop low, humble yourself, and engage everyone if you want votes, not just sympathy,” Kitayunjwa noted.

At the Kamuli Industrial Area Fisheries Malwa Arena, four breweries and local drinking joints have tripled production to meet demand from campaign agents, who now buy a korokoro (pot) of malwa at Shs8,000, up from Shs5,000.

“We’re targeting Museveni’s Shs2 million pledge to malwa brewers,” said Nalongo Rose, popularly known as Toto Ajon, the Arena Manager. “We save Shs2,000 per korokoro and give agents a Shs1,000 commission. These days, we earn at least Shs60,000 daily — we’ve stocked 50 sacks of millet in readiness for peak season.”

Meanwhile, social media handlers, poster printers, and political shrine constructors are also cashing in. Online visibility is now critical, with multiple WhatsApp groups and caller tunes created to promote candidates and counter rival propaganda.

Ali Lukomo, a media handler for Team Dhamu under Hon. Geoffrey Dhamuzungu, says digital campaigns are now as fierce as ground mobilization. “We’ve set up several fronts; Tweyambe Beene, Dhiwuume, and Team No Sleep, to counter the Magogo-Among axis in Budiope East,” he explained.

“Our data budget alone hits Shs100,000 monthly and will rise post-nomination for radio callers, talk shows, and community alerts,” Lukomo adds.

For boda boda riders and bouncers, the campaign season is also a chance to turn politics into enterprise.
Aloysius Nyenje, CEO of Kamuli Boda Boda Tuliwalal Association, says they are offering structured transport and security services at a fee.

“We’ve been used and dumped before. This time we’re running as a business — to pay loans, support families, and benefit from the campaign, not just ride for free,” Nyenje emphasized.