The New Campaign Playbook: See tricks and strategies candidates are using to woo voters

Busoga, Uganda: As the 2026 campaign season heats up, candidates across Busoga Sub-region have unleashed a colourful mix of tactics, from rebranding themselves with flashy new identities to kneeling before voters, all in a bid to win hearts, minds and ultimately victory at the polls.

What is emerging is a bold showcase of strategy, culture, theatrics and ground mobilisation. Below are the standout methods aspirants are deploying to gain an edge.

Branding: Musumba’s “Swagg” Returns

Former FDC firebrand Proscovia Salaam Musumba, now running under the PFF ticket, has reinvented her political identity with strikingly branded outfits; dresses, caps, bandanas and even sweets for children.

She says the makeover differentiates her from the “old Musumba” and signals a refreshed, neutral, and loving version ready to reclaim Bugabula South.

Kneeling: A Symbol of Humility

In Busoga tradition, kneeling represents respect, and candidates are leaning heavily into it.
Candidates like Mastula Namatovu (Kamuli Municipality) and Flavia Anita Omondi (Bugabula North) publicly kneel to greet voters and plead for support, a gesture that resonates deeply with cultural expectations.

One-on-One Mobilisation

Door-to-door outreach remains one of the most effective grassroots tools. Candidates walk into homes, shops and farms, making voters feel personally valued. This tailored engagement has become a decisive strategy for those seeking to cultivate genuine loyalty.

Community Service as Campaigning

Kamuli LCV NRM flagbearer Kaloli Dhizaala has taken an unusual approach, ditching mass rallies for “Bulungi Bwansi” community work.

He joins locals to repair or reconstruct roads and uses the activity as his campaign platform. His message: service speaks louder than speeches.

Entertainment: Music, Dance and Road Drives

Campaigns in Busoga are increasingly taking on a carnival atmosphere. Aspirants hire musicians, dancers and sound trucks to pull crowds and energise rallies.

From Aziz Luwano’s jigs to Flavia Anita Omondi’s cultural performance troupes backed by KBS Events, entertainment has become a powerful vote magnet.

Brigades and Commandos

A growing trend is the rise of decorated campaign brigades, youthful teams clad like generals, commandos or “kanyamas”, tasked with escorting candidates, drumming up hype and projecting strength at rallies.

Riding on Mama Kadaga’s Influence

Almost every serious candidate in the sub-region is invoking the political capital of First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, fondly known as Mama Busoga. Her endorsement and presence remain a prized asset for aspirants seeking legitimacy and broader appeal.