KAMPALA – I was once involved in the politics of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and I can authoritatively confirm that the party is on the edge. For those who understand the internal politics of that fading party will tell you that the NRM Secretariat stopped functioning with the removal of Amama Mbabazi as its Secretary General. Lumumba inherited a sinking ship and passed it onto Todwong. Since then, the secretariat has been operating without money and authority to execute its mandate.
The Secretariat together with its District Party structures is only useful on a few occasions when the President has an occasion in a particular District like the recent Emyyooga and Parish Development Model tours. Seeing Nabanja, Balaam, Dombo, Seninde, Tanga Odoi, and a few party faithful throwing their weight behind Nambi has surely exposed the internal rifts of the ruling party; it is a shadow of its past.
Many times, the NRM set aside resources for their party’s activities but the biggest portion goes back to the very leaders sent to boost the flag bearers while another portion is set aside for those manning security on the ground leaving the low-ranking officers with nothing to take home. No wonder they always act with unnecessary force whenever they are called upon to disperse crowds at rallies.
In the past two weeks, the government has been struggling to defend against embarrassing incidents where a group of people dressed JAT uniforms were exposed beating innocent people. Many are behind bars while others are still nursing wounds. With all these acts, the NRM still expected victory. It is heartbreaking to hear Robinah Nabanja and Balaam claiming it was the opposition involved in ballot stuffing yet it is the NRM which has more access to the electoral commission (EC) stores whose Chairman is appointed by the president who is also the chairman of the NRM Party.
A day before the election, Kawempe North saw the National Unity Platform (NUP) storm a residence affiliated with a Resident District Commissioner where ballot papers were allegedly ticked in favour of the NRM candidate. The reaction of the occupants of that house sent serious shivers in Nalukoola’s camp. Although the opposition members led by Ssenyonyi were eventually repulsed and a journalist injured, a clear message was written on the wall that the NRM were planning to rig the election.
By dawn on Election Day, NUP had deployed its Members of Parliament, Councilors, officials of the party, and yours truly the foot soldiers to man each and every polling station. It was a water-tight wall akin to a formidable football team that left no room to chance. By the time the sun went to rest, a sweet well earned blood victory was awaiting Nakukoola, NUP, the people of Kawempe North, and Uganda as a whole. I hope that victory has sent some warning to Mpuuga’s team to rethink their dirty maneuvers.
It was a rude reminder to the NRM’s blood stained system that Kampala is still safe under the control of the opposition and will be so until further notice. Surely with all the unity and solidarity that was seen in Kawempe North, the sky is the limit for the opposition. The same approach should be extended, employed and applied to all the other District of Uganda so that the sinking NRM ship dives deeper to the bed of the sea with all its occupants on board; that is the long awaited wish for the majority of Ugandans.
I know for a fact that the main “opposition political parties” such as the Democratic Party, Peoples Progressive Party and the Forum for Democratic Change defied the odds and fielded candidate aware the by election was intended to replaced a NUP deceased candidate. Fortunately, the People’s Front for Freedom and the Alliance for National Transformation took a laid back position but supported Nalukoola until he secured a very hard earned victory to the chagrin of NRM and its leaders.
For those who may recall the 2021 general elections, the late Ssegirinya won with 41,197 votes yet due to apathy, violence, intimidation, fatigue and placing the Election Day on a week day, Nalukoola only managed to win with 17,764 against NRM’s Nambi Faridah who obtained 8593 votes. FDC’s Mukiibi Sadat a.k.a Aganaga managed to secure 239 votes, Anifah got Karadi 381 votes, DPs Kasacca Mubiru obtained 100 votes and PPP’s Musitwa Ismail got 39 votes.
Others in the race were Engena Maitum who got 22 votes, late Ssegirinya political assistant Luswa Luwemba snatched 240 votes while Nsereko Moses got only 32 votes. Unfortunately, out of the 28,002 ballots counted, a whooping 406 were invalid while 49 were found spoilt meaning voter sensitization is still lacking. Be that as it may, Congratulations to Nalukoola, the Returning officer who chose to do the right thing and the people of Kawempe for standing firm amidst threats and intimidation.
It was going to be bloody and a disaster if the NRM had used this Kawempe North by-election to penetrate Kampala and it would be hard to dislodge them come 2026. The last time the NRM enjoyed a political command in Kampala was in the days of Bidandi Ssali, Francis Babu, Margret Ziwa, and Fred Ruhindi. Since then they have been laying traps but all in vain. The Kawempe North standard must be maintained even if it means working together as a people with a common object of taking power.
For those who know the dynamics of Kampala, no one should blame the NRM flag bearer’s loss on Anifah Karadi as her presence in the race was insignificant. Even if she pulled out of the race and supported Nambi who she blamed for having been appointed due to her father’s influence, the two would have failed flat as NUP was too organized and were determined to reclaim the seat. Besides, many believe such a seat was a preserve of men and any woman taking part would be considered over-ambitious.
You see, the NRM forgets that the common Uganda does not distinguish between the government and the state, to them these two are one and the same, and a commission or omission made by one is blamed or praised on another. When security organs beat up innocent members of the opposition during a rally, the people blame it on the NRM government and those associated with it. Matters are made worse that Museveni is always swift to make promises during elections that he never fulfills.
In an era of social media and cameras in the hands of many, these promises are stored and brought back during future elections. In July 2024, the President promised to inject shs 1.2 Billion shillings for the Ghetto with the hope of weakening Bobi Wine whose ghetto background is well known. No wonder the NRM identified and supported Alien Skin and Buchanan in order to weaken Kyagulanyi but the strategy failed. Again around last month, Museveni promised shs.2.8 billion to Kampala ghetto youth SACCOS; I don’t know whether he gave them money or it was a mere gimmick in the form of a dummy cheque.
Now that Ugandans are tired of lies, the time to act has presented itself on a sliver plate for those who have been singing the anthem of dislodging Museveni and his government. If indeed the Promised Land won’t be conquered through an election, having a large number of strong opposition Members of Parliament will go a long way in exposing the regime since it is at its weakest point with many of the low-ranking men in uniform disproportioned, fatigued and disgruntled.
I hope NUP can learn something from the gesture of Erias Lukwago, Ken Lukyamuzi, and Ssemuju Nganda who not only endorsed but also campaigned for Nalukoola despite NUP’s threat to field candidates against them in the 2026 general elections. That is what I call solidarity and should be emulated by all the genuine forces of change and not mercenaries disguised as members of the opposition. I hope NUP will go back to the drawing board to identify strong but genuine forces of change so that they don’t filed candidates against them come 2026 but work together as a team.
I know Dr Besigye has a contrary opinion on Ugandans continuing to participate in elections but it appears to be the only legitimate option available to us for regime change. We must keep trying as a vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.
The writer, Rogers Wadada is a commentator on political, legal, and social issues. wadroger@yahoo.ca
