Leaders of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the Buganda region have called on the people of Kassanda District to stand united behind President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all party flag bearers in the 2026 elections, saying this is the path to greater development and stronger government support.
Addressing thousands of supporters gathered at Kyannamugera Playgrounds in Nalutunku Subcounty on Sunday, NRM Vice Chairman for Buganda, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, said the district’s past struggles with service delivery stemmed from what he termed 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, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Kasolo, who also serves as Minister of State for Microfinance, urged residents to avoid independents and opposition candidates in favor of NRM flag bearers.
“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 argued that the NRM is stronger than ever and pledged overwhelming support for President Museveni in the coming polls.
“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.
Kassanda South NRM flag bearer, Hon. Abdul Bisaso, used the event to apologise to President Museveni for the party’s weak performance in the last election.
“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 the gathering that this time NRM was better prepared.
“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 told voters to prioritise President Museveni’s candidacy.
“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 about escalating land grabbing, accusing some officials of evicting residents. Kasolo promised to follow up on these cases and urged NRM-leaning independents to step aside for the sake of unity.
Former Kassanda LC5 Chairperson (2018–2021), Hajji Ziad Kalema, reminded residents that the district had benefitted from government programmes like Emyooga soon after attaining district status in 2018.
He admitted, however, that the 2021 election outcome fell short of promises.
“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, called for 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 return Kassanda to the NRM fold.
“This district must return to the President. We must vote for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers if we want development,” Kalema said.
Kassanda District Woman MP and NRM flag bearer, Hon. Natukunda Rebecca Mubangizi, thanked voters for supporting her 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 cautioned voters against splitting support.
“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.
Attorney General, Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who was chief guest, pledged to escalate residents’ concerns 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 reinforced the message of rejecting 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.
He also announced that government will upgrade the 65-kilometre Myanzi–Kiboga road to tarmac.
“This road project is underway and will transform transport and trade in this region. It is a priority for the government,” he said.
O the sensitive issue of land, Kiwanuka was firm.
“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 confirmed Kassanda’s commitment.
“Kassanda is ready to show its support for President Museveni,” she said.
As the rally drew to a close, residents’ pledges of loyalty signaled Kassanda’s intention to become a key pillar of NRM’s 2026 strategy.
The event attracted a wide array of leaders, including Hon. Tayebwa Didas from Rakai, Hon. Cissy Namujju from Lwengo, Hon. Muyanja Muhammad Ssentayi, and several MPs and party officials from Buganda, all reinforcing calls for unity, loyalty, and mobilisation.
