NRM activates grassroots campaign machine for Kalangala byelection
Kasolo told leaders that to make victory easier, every village committee comprising 63 members should mobilise at least 10 voters each and lead them to polling stations to vote for Nabayiga, the party flag bearer in the forthcoming by-election.
NRM Buganda chairperson, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, introducing the NRM flag bearer in the leaders conference held at NRM offices in Kalangala Town Council. (Photos by Samuel Nkuba)
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As Kalangala prepares for fresh polls to fill the vacant Kalangala Woman MP seat, different political parties have adjusted their campaign strategies in a bid to secure victory for their candidates.
During a district leaders’ conference held at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) offices in Kalangala on June 9, 2026, the party’s Buganda chairperson, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, introduced a new mobilisation strategy involving the deployment of campaign “generals” to rally support for NRM flag bearer Aidah Nabayiga in the forthcoming by-election.
Among those assigned roles are Willy Lugoloobi of Bujumba, Carol Nanyondo Birungi of Kyamuswa, and district chairperson Agnes Lunkuse.
In the concluded 2026 general elections, NRM, unlike in 2021, defeated other parties across the district by winning five of the seven sub-counties. The party also captured the LC5 chairperson seat from NUP and increased its councillor representation from 13 seats in 2021 to 18 out of 24 seats.
Kasolo told leaders that to make victory easier, every village committee comprising 63 members should mobilise at least 10 voters each and lead them to polling stations to vote for Nabayiga, the party flag bearer in the forthcoming by-election.
“Vote for tested leaders who understand the boundaries of Kalangala district and will legislate in favour of islander problems to fetch solutions from the governing party,” he said, adding that Nabayiga is a tested leader who will be able to lobby more than she did in the 2026–2021 term.
The 84-island district, with 64 inhabited islands, has 42,452 registered voters who will cast their ballots at 155 polling stations spread across the islands.
Previously, Nakimuli retained the seat after polling 10,609 votes against NRM candidate Aidah Nabayiga, who secured 9,245 votes out of 19,854 valid votes cast, finishing second.
Kasolo also criticised party members he described as “double coloured”, accusing them of claiming loyalty to NRM while failing to support its flag bearers.
“Let’s avoid hypocrisy in our party. We know everyone who betrayed us in the concluded general elections but if our flag bearers pissed you off during her term, forgive and put trust in Nabayiga again, you will see how Kalangala booms to NRM legislators,” he said.
Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, the NRM director of mobilisation, urged cadres to conduct campaigns peacefully and avoid confrontations with supporters of other candidates.
“We are going to make our campaigns scientific in that every committee member becomes an agent of our flag bearer in this quest for victory,” she said.
She further urged NRM members to avoid internal divisions and instead unite for a common goal.
Kalangala’s two constituencies were secured by the party, taking them from independent candidate Julius Mukasa Opondo of Bujumba and Kyamuswa’s Moses Kabuusu of the FDC. However, opposition parties continue to hold the district leadership, with Rajab Ssemakula of the National Unity Platform (NUP) serving as chairperson. Current projections suggest that the opposition’s political space has narrowed compared to the 2021–2026 term.
Sseninde has vowed to remain in the island district until the by-election is concluded.
During the conference, Richard Katumba, a former NRM member who crossed to NUP and previously served as district speaker, said his expectations in the new political alignment had not been met. Katumba had left NRM in 2021 and was later elected as Bujumba subcounty direct councillor.
“You’re now tasked to fish your fellows and other youth to witness the sunshine in NRM, vote for Nabayiga then, all their proposed projects go through the right channel to the responsible office holder,” Seninde added.
The Electoral Commission is conducting nominations over two days, starting today, Wednesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 11, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, for candidates in the Woman MP by-election to fill the vacancy left after the death of Nakimuli in April while undergoing surgery.
James Kinobe, commissioner of the NRM electoral commission, urged party structures and agents to remain vigilant against alleged malpractice, including tampering with DR forms and altering figures in favour of opposition candidates.
“We will make sure that we protect our victory from polling centres to the tally centre since we got news that ballot boxes are sometimes hijacked while being transported from far distant islands at night,” he said.
NRM flag bearer Aidah Nabayiga, who previously served as Woman MP after the 2016 general election but lost the seat in 2021, pledged to improve service delivery if re-elected, including lobbying for a district hospital to reduce referrals to Masaka.
“I seek forgiveness, dear islanders, where I mistakenly wronged you, give me a chance to rectify and serve you diligently,” she said, as she knelt in a sign of humility.
Campaigns are scheduled to run from June 12 to June 22, ahead of polling day on June 24.