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IGANGA - The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has set plans to address issues affecting people within the Busoga sub-region ahead of the 2026 presidential, and parliamentary elections.

The director mobilization cadre development NRM secretariat, Rosemary Seninde, while speaking during the belated NRM day celebrations held at Iganga district headquarters on March 8 said different complaints including issues raised by the fishing communities and the sugar cane growers cost the ruling party votes in the 2021 presidential and parliamentary elections giving an upper hand to the opposition.

Seninde, who was chief guest at the occasion, said the ruling NRM party is in the process of addressing all these issues before the 2026 general elections.

“Our opponents took advantage of this to speak ill of the ruling NRM party which cost us votes in Busoga sub-region. We as a party have already embarked on a program of ensuring that we get all the support that we have been enjoying in the previous elections," she said.

Addressing a meeting of different stakeholders, she also urged the youth to pay particular interest in every activity in the party to ensure and participate fully in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Youth countrywide constitute a bigger majority of the population, therefore, they should not be left behind even during issues of decision-making," she said.

Seninde cautioned NRM party members to desist from bickering, and infighting since it has in the past elections given an advantage to the Opposition win during bye-elections.

She appealed to NRM party supporters to take part in the forthcoming registration exercise that kicks off on Monday, March 11 since it will enable them to take part in the voting exercise of party flag bearers besides being recognized.

At the event where she donated shillings 2 million towards efficient running of the NRM party activities in Iganga district, Seninde added that “it’s only through this exercise that one can be elected as a party flag bearer or be in a position to vote a member of his or her own choice," she said.

The NRM chairman Iganga, Hajji Abubaker Walubi urged the government to consider buying sugarcanes from farmers directly to avoid being exploited by factory owners.
“Most of the farmers are getting frustrated with the very low sugar cane prices yet they are depending on loans for survival," he said.

Walubi appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to fulfill a campaign pledge he made towards upgrading the Iganga-Luuka road and ensure the Opposition doesn’t take advantage to speak ill of the party during the 2026 general elections.

He advised new entrants into the ruling NRM party not to expect rewards immediately but instead be patient. 

The resident district commissioner Iganga, Sadala Wandera urged NRM members to always be well versed with the achievements of the ruling NRM party by consulting with his office instead of being challenged by the Opposition during public occasions like burial ceremonies, graduation parties, or radio talk shows.

The former contestant for Kigulu North constituency on the FDC ticket Hajji Ismael Badogi who crossed over to the ruling NRM party said he has no interest in asking for a job but made a personal decision after realizing that the party has a vision for the country besides has a clear manifesto that can help steer development into the country for the next few decades.