Politics of solidarity in Butaleja as aspirants fund NRM joint campaigns

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While some districts across the country are witnessing NRM campaigns marred by disorganisation and chaos, Butaleja has set a new standard, emerging as a rare symbol of unity and coordination.

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, over 30 NRM candidates have embraced joint campaigns, each contributing sh50,000 per day to fund security and a shared public address system.

This approach has enabled the team to move from one venue to another without a single incident of political violence, earning praise as a win-win model that promotes fairness, efficiency and party cohesion.

The NRM district registrar, Hasahya Kuzaima, attributes the success of the initiative to the candidates’ cooperation, noting that even the daily contribution of 50,000 shillings was proposed by the candidates themselves.

“We agreed with them and emphasised that we don’t want chaos or bloodshed in Butaleja, unlike what we've seen elsewhere. This has helped us avoid any cases of violence. We start early and end early,” said Hasahya Kuzaima, district registrar, Butaleja.

To the candidates themselves, the approach is helping to save resources and enabling voters to make informed decisions by comparing manifestos.

“We've found it cost-effective. We pooled resources and carried out campaigns at minimal cost. If each of us moved with our own convoy through every sub-county, we could easily clash, leading to potential violence,” stated Agatha Hamba Muloki, the district NRM woman MP aspirant.

Sovereign Hasahya, another aspirant for the woman MP seat, added, “You listen to one candidate, then the next, it helps voters choose wisely, compared to when only one candidate addresses them.”

With security personnel deployed daily to escort the team to all three venues, candidates say they feel safer and more confident as they campaign, free from intimidation.

“We need security to protect us because some candidates are already scared as they look for votes. Like you heard what almost happened to me before we began these joint campaigns, one of my opponents had organised someone to shoot me,” stated Andiru Florence Nebanda, the incumbent woman MP for Butaleja.

This joint campaign has attracted participation from all seven women seeking to unseat incumbent Woman MP Florence Nebanda, eight candidates aiming to replace Bunyole West MP Geoffrey Mutiwa, six candidates challenging Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli, and all eight candidates vying for the district chairperson seat.