Sam Kahamba Kuteesa, the former Foreign Affairs Minister and long-serving NRM district chairperson, is gearing up for a political battle to reclaim Mawogola South Constituency from the opposition ahead of the 2026 general elections. Kuteesa, speaking at a handover ceremony, vowed to 'uproot' the opposition, currently led by NUP's Gorreth Namugga, from the constituency.
Sembabule has always been an NRM stronghold, and Kuteesa emphasizes the importance of unity among party members. He stated, 'We cannot sit back and watch the opposition take control of our area.' Kuteesa's commitment to this cause is so strong that he has pledged to campaign exclusively in Mawogola South, driven by his determination to remove the opposition from the constituency.
However, the path to victory is not without challenges. Some NRM members in the district have raised concerns about persistent divisions within the party. Several former NRM members have declared their intentions to run as independents after disputes during the primaries. Shafiq Matovu, an NRM district mobilizer, highlights the impact of disunity, stating that it has given the opposition room to expand its influence in Sembabule. He warns, 'Unless we come together as one family, the opposition will continue to gain ground.'
Despite these internal cracks, other NRM leaders remain optimistic. Mary Begumisa, the District General Secretary and a woman member of parliament for Sembabule, believes the situation is improving. She claims that several opposition supporters have already defected to the ruling party, indicating a shift in support. Denis Ddumba, an independent parliamentary aspirant who fell out with the NRM during the last elections, attributes the current political confusion to the party leadership's failure to engage the grassroots. He states, 'Our leaders neglected the people who vote for them, creating space for the opposition to grow.'
Baker Byaayi Ssenyonga, a former NUP member who recently crossed to the NRM, shares Ddumba's sentiment. He expresses confidence in Kuteesa's plan, stating that the people of Mawogola South have 'seen through the empty promises of the opposition.' Ssenyonga adds humor to his argument, saying, 'Once a house catches fire, it’s impossible to save it, the opposition’s time in Sembabule is over.'
The newly appointed NRM district chairperson, Gen. Phenehansi Katrima, has pledged to continue Kuteesa's efforts and strengthen the party's grassroots structures. She aims to ensure NRM dominance in the district, stating, 'Our goal is clear, to restore unity and make Sembabule fully NRM again.' During the ceremony, District Chairperson Patrick Nkalubo also called on party members to support President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of unity and continued political engagement.
