2026 polls: AG Kiwanuka seeks to improve NRM fortunes in Buganda

KIBOGA - Attorney General (AG) Kiryowa Kiwanuka has joined a campaign to improve the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s political fortunes in the Buganda region in the 2026 general election.

“I do not intend to stand for elective office, but as a leader, though not elected, I try to participate in finding solutions to our problems,” he told his critics on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, March 16.

This was after he and the NRM Buganda parliamentary caucus successfully launched the “Buganda for Museveni campaign” in Kiboga district.

“We shall go around the entire region to monitor government projects, highlight what has been done, the plans for what is to be done and ask the people of Uganda to continue supporting NRM,” he said.

Kiwanuka knocked back suggestions that the new campaign by him and the NRM MPs is just for making money because the ruling party’s approval ratings are at the lowest ever level in the central region.

“Even in the last election, NRM did not get zero. The idea (of the campaign) is to make the prospects better. But then again, that is the purpose of democracy. To convince the masses (or not). Let’s try our luck and see how it goes,” he said.

He also argued that being the AG does not mean he does not have views and ideas. “You will actually be surprised. If you can, try and engage in a coherent and respectful conversation,” he told one of his critics.

He emphasised that leaders must go and account to the people. “These are like barazas (public meetings). I for one learnt a lot about some of the issues in Kiboga. Mobilization is about sharing views and engagement on issues,” he said.

Kiwanuka also noted the campaign will also give people a chance to tell them where they have failed as leaders.

He also told his critics that it is not wrong for the AG to engage in partisan politics.

“Actually, in some countries AG is not a member of cabinet. However, here records show that many of past AGs were in fact elected members of parliament. In my case I am not elected, but I am sure you had no doubt that I subscribe to NRM,” Kiwanuka told one of his critics.

Dismal performance

In the last general elections, NRM suffered heavy casualties in the central region when all Cabinet ministers lost their parliamentary seats to the opposition candidates, especially from the newly formed National Unity Platform party.

Ofwono Opondo, the head of the Uganda Media Centre, said early last year that between 1996 and 2001, the margin of victory countrywide for NRM and President Yoweri Museveni narrowed from 76% to 58.06% now.

He said in major towns and all districts in Buganda and Busoga, the decline has been disastrous.

“In 2021, Museveni didn’t win any district in Buganda, and marginally carried Namayingo, Namutumba and Kaliro in Busoga. Many analysts believe that NRM and Museveni lost these areas not because the opposition had credible alternatives, but rather the growing disaffection on multiple fronts,” Ofwono argued.

In Kampala and Wakiso alone, the two largest voting blocs, the opposition has gained and outstripped NRM massively, and it will almost be miraculous for the NRM to recover anytime soon, he added.

The National Electoral Commission has already indicated that the next general elections will take place on January 12 and February 9, 2026, but candidates for presidential, parliamentary and local government seats would be nominated from June to October 2025.