NRM launches aggressive campaigns in Bukedi to recapture lost ground

________________

In a bid to regain lost ground in the crucial border districts of Tororo and Busia, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has launched an aggressive campaign blitz, signalling its determination to secure victory for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the upcoming January 2026 elections. 

The strategy, which comes in the wake of the NRM’s underperformance in the 2021 polls, where the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) posed a significant challenge, involves a multi-pronged approach, including reconciliation efforts, youth mobilisation, and high-profile entertainment-driven campaigns.

The 2021 elections saw a stark contrast in the two districts. In Busia, NUP's Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) secured 45,166 votes against President Yoweri Museveni's 44,678 votes. While the NRM won in Tororo, the margin was narrow, with Kyagulanyi garnering 54,556 votes, posing a considerable threat to the ruling party's dominance in the region.

According to observers, NRM's recent flurry of activity underscores its commitment to reversing this trend. Just last week, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, also the second national vice chairperson of the NRM, visited Tororo to address internal party divisions stemming from the recent, often turbulent, NRM primaries. This week, the party has deployed a team of mobilisers to amplify support for the president.

Leading the charge is the "Unstoppable UG Campaign," a Generation Z-focused initiative employing entertainment and conversation as a political strategy. On Tuesday, November 3, 2025, the campaign kicked off in Tororo municipality with a vibrant motorcade of boda boda cyclists, adorned in the party's yellow, leading a caravan chanting slogans of support for President Museveni and the NRM. 

The caravan, playing NRM campaign songs through loudspeakers, traversed the streets of Tororo for approximately three hours before heading to Busia district.

Artiste Gravity Mutujju joins the crowd in Busia Municipality streets to mobilize support for NRM. (Credit: George Ofwono)

In Busia, the caravan was bolstered by the arrival of a number of local supporters, as well as a lineup of popular Ugandan artists, including Bebe Cool, Gravity Omutujju, Lily Pazo, Stecia Mayanja, and Catherine Kusasira. Their presence amplified the campaign's visibility, turning the district into a sea of yellow. 

Artiste Bebe Cool joins the crowd in Busia Municipality streets to mobilize support for NRM. (Credit: George Ofwono)

After rounding up Busia municipality, the campaign culminated at Busia Taxi Park, where the artists performed, encouraging voters to reaffirm their support for the ruling party.

This intensified campaign activity has infused confidence within the NRM ranks in both districts. 

Richard Owere Machika, the District General Secretary of the NRM who doubles as the parliamentary flag bearer for West Budama North East, expressed optimism, stating, 

“This time, we are well-positioned to shine. We are educating the population about the many developments the NRM has brought to the district, something that wasn't properly done during the past elections." Machika stated. 

Ramadhan Kiza, the NRM Youth Chairperson for Busia Municipality, echoed this sentiment, adding.

"The youth who supported NUP in the last elections have now been enlightened on the progressive leadership of NRM, and they're ready to give it all to Mzee this time round." He asserted. 

The NRM's determination to reclaim its lost support in Tororo and Busia is evident in its current strategies. As the 2026 elections draw closer, the success of these efforts will be crucial.

Tomorrow, the team heads to Butebo district, still within Bukedi subregion, where the party struggled to retain the masses in 2021.