Busoga NRM leaders call for unity, reform to consolidate election gains

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IGANGA - Promoting a message of uniting NRM members and streamlining regional development, former vice-president Dr Specioza Kazibwe has called for a strategic overhaul of how the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party operates within the Busoga.

Following the successful re-election of President Yoweri Museveni, Kazibwe, who is the team lead for the Regional Coordinating Teams (RCTs) in Busoga region, convened with regional co-ordinators and NRM structures to evaluate the recent electoral performance and chart a path toward regional development and party cohesion.

Stakeholders, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), regional co-ordination team heads of various districts and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) leaders, converged at Fort Lugard Hotel in Iganga district on January 17, 2026.

The meeting organised by the RCTs focused on addressing the internal friction and systemic challenges that hindered the party’s performance in certain districts, despite an overall improvement in the presidential vote share.  

Former Vice President and Senior Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe (seated 4th right), and Former KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka (seated 3rd right), together with leaders and stakeholders in a group photograph at Fort Lugard hotel in Iganga district on January 17, 2026. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Reflecting on the campaign trail 

Kazibwe said while the party secured victory, the exercise revealed critical gaps in the NRM’s internal systems.

The committee identified several areas for urgent improvement, including strengthening how votes are monitored and managed, ensuring candidates are rigorously vetted to fit the specific demands of their offices, and implementing systematic training for leaders to enhance competitiveness in future cycles.

"We have been identifying the challenges we found which could have easily been dealt with quickly or before the elections," Kazibwe said, emphasising that the party must evolve to stay ahead.

Tackling Internal Divisions and ‘Camps’ 

The primary concern raised by multiple leaders was the deep-seated factionalism within the region.

Florence Mutyabule, the RCT lead for Namutumba district, highlighted the destructive nature of internal ‘camps’, comparing them to the Israelites and Palestinians.

She specifically noted current rivalries between "Team Maama" and "Team Mulamu," arguing that such infighting for supremacy has stalled development in Busoga.

Supporting this view, Buyende district LC5 chairperson Michael Kanaku said, "NRM is too strong, but we are too divided."

He urged the party to own and orient candidates immediately after primaries to prevent the formation of splinter groups during general elections.

Calls for reforms

Haji Hassan Menhya (RCT Bugweri) called for the total removal of NRM primaries, describing them as chaotic and a catalyst for hatred among party members.

Wilson Mugoya, PLU’s regional media co-ordinator in Busoga, argued that while the system is functional, the declaration of winners remains the core problem.

He proposed that NRM achievements be communicated year-round rather than only during the climax of campaigns.

Malcolm Bulamu warned against the high monetisation of the electoral process and the growing threat of voter apathy.

Bridging the generational divide 

Addressing concerns regarding leadership factions and splintering within the region, Kazibwe, who is also the special presidential advisor on health, observed that much of the friction exists among middle-aged and older politicians. Her strategy for unity involves a pivot toward the youth.

Kazibwe emphasised the need to look beyond elections toward structural development.

She announced plans to revitalise the Busoga Charter, a framework established in the late 1990s to allow districts to co-operate and prioritise regional needs under the Constitution.

"The region is one of the poorest in the country," Kazibwe noted.

She committed to working with young leaders to initiate leadership training exercises (chaka mchaka-mchaka) to ensure the next generation is ideologically aligned and prepared to work 24 hours a day to transform the sub-region.

Kazibwe highlighted a shift in the political landscape, noting that while the old guard built the movement's foundation during times of scarcity, the current era of available resources requires a faster, 24-hour work ethic.

Performance Breakdown 

Former KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka presented the official performance metrics for President Yoweri Museveni across the region, outlining performance in percentage per district.

• Namutumba (64%)
• Namayingo (63.8%)
• Buyende (63.21%)
• Kaliro (61%)

• Luuka (53.1%)
• Bugiri (54.57%)
• Bugweri (52%)
• Jinja district (50%)
• Kamuli (50%)
• Mayuge (46%)
• Iganga (44.6%)
• Jinja City (38.6%)

Kisaka thanked Basoga for voting for President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM flag-bearers who were declared winners.   

She led stakeholders in the meeting in congratulating President Museveni upon his victory as they sang NRM songs and chanted party slogans inside the conference hall.

Moving Forward 

The goal is to align young leaders with the movement's core ideology while leveraging modern expertise to move Busoga forward.

By focusing on structural unity and regional cooperation, the Coordinating Team hopes to transform Busoga from a political stronghold into an economic powerhouse.