Buganda elders pledge to mobilise for NRM

KAMPALA - Senior citizens in Uganda’s central region have reaffirmed their commitment to shape the country’s political future, pledging to mobilise more than two million votes for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2026 General Election.

The announcement came during a high-level elders’ symposium at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala city on November 21, 2025. The symposium brought together leaders from all 27 districts of Buganda and the greater Kampala region.

The gathering aimed to discuss challenges facing older persons and strengthen their political voice.

Organised under the Central Region Older Persons Association (CROPA), the event attracted veteran leaders, former ministers, district representatives, NRM spokespersons, and elders’ council chairpersons.

With over 560,000 senior citizens in the central region alone, leaders revealed that if each elder mobilised just four votes from their families, communities, or dependents, the bloc would command more than two million votes a political influence unmatched by any other group.

Emmanuel Ddombo urged elders to support the NRM and engage the younger generation. Older persons were here before NRM, when NRM came, and throughout its tenure. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)

Political weight

Suleiman Madada, the former minister for the elderly and current chairperson of the organising committee, highlighted the political weight of older persons.

“We are a force, and if organised, we can shift Uganda’s political landscape. Statistics show that if each of the 567,000 older persons brings in four supporters, we will surpass two million votes. In the last three elections, no party, including NRM, has crossed 1.5 million votes in Buganda. Older persons hold the key to closing this gap,” Madada said.

He added that despite their historical importance, older persons remain largely overlooked in national planning and mobilisation.

“You cannot talk about Uganda’s political history without talking about older persons. We carry knowledge, experience, and the history this country stands on,” he said.

The symposium also tackled pressing challenges affecting senior citizens, including healthcare, land insecurity, weak legal protections, and lack of welfare support.

Kakooza James, NRM flag-bearer for the older persons' MP seat in Buganda, stressed the need for dedicated healthcare schemes to address non-communicable diseases that drain elders’ limited resources. 

He also raised concerns about family exploitation, particularly in land matters, calling for amendments to the Succession Act to safeguard elders. Some children pressure their parents into signing property transfer documents a dignified life in old age must be guaranteed.

Emmanuel Ddombo urged elders to support the NRM and engage the younger generation. Older persons were here before NRM, when NRM came, and throughout its tenure. 

“We are best positioned to share Uganda’s story and pass on the NRM message to the youth. Elders must work hard in mobilising support and educating younger generations, contributing two million shillings to CROPA," Ddombo said.

Adding to the mobilisation drive, Minsa Kabanda sent Capt Titus Kiwanuka to flag off NRM flag-bearers of elders in both the party's central executive committee and national executive committee.

He brought two million shillings from Kabanda and urged elders to support the party with unity and integrity.

The symposium also recognised the elders’ role in resolving land disputes using traditional mediation systems. Francis Anthony Lubowa, CROPA chairperson, reaffirmed his commitment to unifying older persons and advocating for their welfare.

He emphasised intergenerational collaboration, urging youth to work alongside elders to strengthen Uganda’s social fabric.

As the event concluded, one message was clear, Central Region elders are no longer willing to remain silent or marginalised.

With their numbers, experience, and influence, they are positioning themselves as a decisive voting bloc ready to shape Uganda’s political future.