Kampala, Uganda– With just days left to the crucial Kawempe North by-election, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has deployed its political machinery in a last-ditch effort to swing the constituency in its favor.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, alongside the NRM Vice Chairman for Central Region, Godfrey Kiwanda, and other senior party leaders, stormed Kawempe in a series of rallies aimed at consolidating support for the NRM flag bearer, Faridah Nambi.
The high-energy campaign saw the NRM team traverse key areas of the constituency, including Bwaise, Kazo-Angola, and Kyebando, rallying voters to support their candidate in what they described as a vote for development and service delivery.
Prime Minister Nabbanja did not hold back in her appeal to the electorate, framing the by-election as a critical moment for Kawempe residents to choose between continued opposition leadership and direct government influence in decision-making.
“The people of Kampala lack services because they vote wrongly. They vote for leaders who don’t sit in the NRM parliamentary caucus where key decisions on allocation of resources are made,” Nabbanja stated, urging voters to align with the ruling party for better representation.
She further pledged that the government will build a seed secondary school and establish a Presidential Skilling Hub in Kawempe North to empower youth and improve access to education.
“We understand your plight, and we shall work with Faridah Nambi to address them individually,” she said.
Historically, Kawempe North has been an opposition stronghold, with the electorate consistently favoring opposition candidates in past elections.
The by-election, triggered by the death of the previous MP, presents a fresh opportunity for both the ruling party and the opposition to test their political strength in the capital city.
NRM’s approach is clear—persuading voters that their long-standing support for the opposition has not translated into tangible development. However, opposition leaders argue that NRM’s sudden interest in Kawempe is purely political and that the area has been deliberately sidelined despite its repeated calls for equitable resource allocation.
Faridah Nambi, NRM’s candidate, has vowed to be the bridge between Kawempe North and the government, promising to address the challenges affecting residents, including poor infrastructure, unemployment, and inadequate social services.
“I have seen and heard your concerns, and I pledge to cooperate with the government to address them if you vote me into parliament,” Nambi assured her supporters.
Meanwhile, the NRM Director for Mobilisation, Rosemary Seninde, made it clear that the party will leave no stone unturned in securing victory.
“We shall not fall prey to the tricks of the opposition who are planning to rig the election,” she declared, urging NRM supporters to turn up in large numbers and guard their votes.
The Kawempe North by-election is more than just a contest for a parliamentary seat; it is a litmus test for NRM’s influence in Kampala and could set the tone for future elections.
If the ruling party succeeds, it will be seen as a sign of growing acceptance in urban areas traditionally dominated by the opposition. However, a loss could reaffirm the resistance of city voters to NRM’s leadership.
The question remains: Will Kawempe North stick to its historical voting patterns as both camps intensify their final campaigns, or will NRM’s development promises turn the tide in its favor? The answer will be revealed at the ballot box on Thursday.
