Kiwanda Leads Charge to Revitalize NRM’s Fortunes in Buganda Region

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is intensifying its efforts to regain dominance in the strategic Buganda Region after conceding significant ground to the opposition National Unity Platform.

Following what was described as disappointing results in previous polls, NRM’s Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi on Friday met Executive leaders from 10 various districts from Buganda Region to discuss strategies aimed at reclaiming their lost ground and also to bolster support among voters.

The leaders met by Kiwanda belonged to Greater Masaka NRM Mobilizer Foot Soldiers led by their Chairperson Damian Kabuye Zonobia who said their group was formed to counter the wave brought by the opposition National Unity Platform. Kabuye told Our Reporter that their group is determined to make sure they rally support for the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and that they will make sure that the ruling party wins not only with a landslide victory in Buganda Region but the country as a whole.

This was in a whole day meeting at NRM Secretariat in Kampala as they orchestrated a revitalized campaign to win back the disenchanted voters and also to solidify the party’s national standing.

NRM lost 22 Parliamentary seats majority of which to the opposition National Unity Platform.

According to the Electoral Commission results, NRM’s top most candidate President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni obtained 5.8 million votes out of the 9.9 votes cast while his closest challenger Robert Kyagulanyi who stood on the NUP ticket scored 3.4 million votes in the 2021 polls. The data further shows that NRM received a paltry 35 percent in the central Region while Kyagulanyi secured 62.01 percent.

While in the meeting, some of the leaders said that the party Secretariat sent them Mobilizers who didn’t know or understand the politics of the region deployed to and as such , the opposition took advantage of this because they had deployed people who understood the issues of the areas . They discussed strategies such as educating the young people right away from their young age about the NRM such that by the time they turn the age for voting ,they are able to support it.

The leaders told the Chairperson of the meeting Kiwanda that they were also let down by different people especially the government officials who are paid government money but still continue to frustrate them in the districts especially some Resident District Commissioners.

Jolly Kyogabirwe Bukondo Aspiring District Woman MP Lyantonde said that the party didn’t get votes because of the enemies of the party who speak evil against it and continue to malice it. She also decried unresolved land wrangles and corruption to be fuelling the losses.

NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi together with Aspiring District Woman MP Lyantonde Jolly Kyogabirwe Bukondo at the Party Secretariat in Kampala on Friday.

Then Divisionism and disunity featured most among the issues that they said are making the party lose . They noted that in some positions , most of the NRM candidates fought to be flag bearers and after losing the flag, they also continued to participate in general elections as independents. As such , that this resulted into sharing of votes which would have otherwise been taken by one particular candidate.

Chairperson Greater Masaka NRM Mobilizer Foot Soldiers Damian Kabuye Zonobia.

However, while responding to their concerns , Kiwanda Ssubi rallied party foot soldiers to unite and form a consensus if they are to secure more positions within the region.

Kiwanda emphasized unity and strategic support, urging members to work tirelessly for NRM, particularly with President Museveni who is currently camped in Bukedi region.

Kiwanda also encouraged the leaders to support candidates of their respective choices when it comes to party primaries without committing the entire party. He advised leveraging party structures and engaging youth during holidays, and reconciling differences.

He further stated that some NRM youth leaders exceed 43 years, yet still seek youthful positions. He urged them to pave way for younger generations.

Kiwanda reminded members that foot soldiers are a pressure group, not the ultimate goal. He stressed building a strong base, consensus among candidates and avoiding vote division which has since caused them losses due to fragmented support.

The meeting comes hot on the wheels as the Party expects to go through its Primary elections next year 2025 ahead of the general elections in 2026.