Politics 20 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NRM's Namayanja Rallies Kalangala Voters for Nabayiga Ahead of Museveni Visit
The NRM is stepping up its campaign to retake the Kalangala District Woman MP seat, with senior official Rose Namayanja rallying voters and highlighting the benefits of aligning with the ruling party. President Museveni is expected to join the final push. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kalangala-by-election-nrm-s-namayanja-rallies-island-voters-ahead-of-museveni-visit-5503414
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is intensifying its campaign efforts to reclaim the Kalangala District Woman Parliamentary seat, with key party figures leading grassroots mobilization. The by-election follows the passing of the incumbent and represents a crucial opportunity for the NRM to reassert its dominance in the island district, which saw gains by the National Unity Platform (NUP) in recent elections.
NRM Deputy Secretary General, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, has been actively engaging with residents in various sub-counties, emphasizing the importance of electing leaders who can effectively liaise with the central government. She cautioned voters against choosing opposition representatives, suggesting that such decisions can lead to the isolation of communities from development programs and essential government services.
“When people vote against leaders who can directly engage with government structures, it is not the President who loses. The biggest loss is felt by the communities themselves because development programmes and services are delivered through government systems,” Namayanja stated during village meetings. She also cited instances where development projects stalled after the previous MP left office, arguing for continuity and strong ties to the ruling party for continued progress.
Namayanja highlighted that resource allocation happens through the ruling party’s internal structures, from the Parliamentary Caucus to Cabinet. Therefore, leaders aligned with the NRM are better positioned to advocate for their constituents’ needs and secure national resources. Bujumba County MP William Lugoloobi echoed these sentiments, describing the NRM candidate, Idah Nabayiga, as the “missing link” who can unify the island’s leadership and effectively lobby for funding, particularly for the crucial fishing economy and infrastructure.
The intensified campaigning precedes an anticipated visit by President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM National Chairman. He is expected to officially endorse Nabayiga and rally support for the party in the final stretch before the polls on June 24. This election is viewed as a significant test for the NRM’s standing against opposition forces in Kalangala.