President Yoweri Museveni is gearing up to campaign for Faridah Nambi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer in the closely watched Kawempe North by-election. This high-stakes race could serve as a crucial test of whether the ruling party can break the opposition’s stronghold in this historically opposition-dominated Kampala constituency.
Museveni, who is also the national chairman of the NRM, will join efforts to boost Nambi’s bid, as she faces a tough challenge in a seat once held by the late Muhammad Ssegirinya of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). In the 2021 general election, Ssegirinya won the seat by a wide margin, securing 41,197 votes, leaving his nearest rival, independent candidate Sulaiman Kidandala, far behind with just 7,512 votes. NRM’s Tom Johnfisher Kasenge came in third with 6,946 votes.
With such a significant historical gap, Museveni’s involvement in the campaign is being closely watched to see if NRM can stage a political comeback in Kawempe North.
Ahead of the president’s visit, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has been actively canvassing for Nambi in key areas such as Bwaise, Kazo-Angola, and Kyebando. Nabbanja has emphasized the importance of supporting a government-aligned candidate, arguing that opposition lawmakers struggle to secure essential services for their constituents.
“The people of Kampala are missing out on vital services because they vote for leaders who aren’t in the NRM parliamentary caucus, where decisions on resource allocation are made,” Nabbanja stated.
This approach of linking access to public services with political allegiance has been a cornerstone of the NRM's electoral strategy. However, critics from the opposition dismiss it as political manipulation.
The by-election campaign has been marred by security tensions, including early violence directed at NUP supporters, which sparked widespread criticism. In response, the Electoral Commission intervened, easing security restrictions and allowing NUP’s candidate, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, to hold larger rallies. The NRM, however, alleges that these rallies are orchestrated events with staged supporters.
Museveni’s campaign in Kawempe North will be a key moment, especially following NRM’s recent setbacks in by-elections. For instance, in Kisoro, NRM’s Rose Kabagyeni lost to an NRM-leaning independent candidate, Grace Akifeeza Ngabirano. Nonetheless, by-elections in Uganda generally favor the ruling party, which can deploy more resources to these contests.
In past by-elections, NRM has faced tough opposition, such as in Kyaddondo East in 2017, when Robert Kyagulanyi—now NUP’s leader—won in a landslide, surprising the establishment. The 2018 by-election in Arua Municipality was marked by violence, with the arrest of Kyagulanyi and others after an alleged attack on Museveni’s convoy. More recently, in the 2021 mayoral by-election in Kayunga, NRM’s Andrew Muwonge emerged victorious despite opposition claims of voter fraud.
With the by-election set for Thursday, Nambi and Nalukoola are the leading candidates among the nine contenders, including Henry Kasacca Mubiru (Democratic Party), Sadat Mukiibi (Forum for Democratic Change), and Ismail Musiitwa (People’s Progressive Party). Independent candidates also include Mohammad Luwemba, a former aide to the late Ssegirinya, and Moses Nsereko, who was defeated in NUP’s primaries.
Museveni’s involvement in the final stretch of the campaign could prove pivotal, but it remains to be seen whether his support can shift the balance in favor of Nambi or if the opposition will continue to dominate
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