NRM leaders rally support for candidates in Kikuube and Kalangala by-elections

14 June 2026, 9:51 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs, Mary Mugasa, has called on residents of Kikuube District to unite behind the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Paddy Kisembo, in order to retain the district chairperson seat in the forthcoming LC5 by-election scheduled for Thursday.

Speaking to the media yesterday in Kiziranfumbi Sub-county after holding several meetings with different groups, Mugasa thanked God for what she described as successful reconciliation among party members, saying they had agreed to respect the party’s decision to front a single candidate.

“I want to thank God that at this point in time we are moving as a team. Everybody has been reconciled to follow the party position,” Mugasa said.

The minister noted that internal divisions have, on several occasions, affected the NRM’s performance in elections. In many cases, party flag bearers have faced opposition from fellow party members, resulting in vote splitting and losses to opposition or independent candidates. Such divisions have contributed to the emergence of several NRM-leaning Members of Parliament, LC III and LC V chairpersons, and mayors who contested outside the official party structure.

Meanwhile, NRM officials have also expressed confidence that the party is well-positioned to reclaim the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament seat, citing strong grassroots support, improved party unity, and the government’s development record in the island district.

Speaking during campaign meetings held across villages and parishes in Kalangala District yesterday, the party’s Electoral Commissioner, James Kinobe, said the NRM candidate, Idah Nabayiga, stands out among the five contenders in the race.

“We are performing exceptionally well because morale is very high and the people are excited. If you were to rate our candidate, we are already polling in the 80 per cent range,” Kinobe said.

The Kalangala Woman MP seat fell vacant following the death of Hellen Nakimuli in April this year. Nakimuli, who belonged to the National Unity Platform, had secured a second term in office before her passing.

Following her death, the party selected her sister, Irene Nampala, as its candidate for the by-election.

Other candidates in the race are independent contenders Helen Flavia Nagawa, Sharifa Babirye, and Agnes Nasuuna.

According to the Electoral Commission, campaigns will end on June 22, 2026, while polling will take place on June 26, 2026.