NUP’s Western Uganda Tour Signals Shift in Political Landscape

Summary:

• In Bundibugyo, the police made every effort to disrupt Kyagulanyi’s team. Despite blocking the venue where Kyagulanyi had planned to address the crowds, NUP supporters resisted and instead gathered at the party offices.

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BUSHENYI: Reflecting on the recent NUP consultative tours in western Uganda, NRM is slowly losing ground and dominance in the region, according to the National Unity Platform Coordinator for Greater Bushenyi, Beinomugisha Godfrey.

“When NUP president visited Bundibugyo, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Rukungiri, and Ntungamo, western Uganda clearly signaled that they wanted change. NRM was so surprised to see the massive crowds that the NUP president was able to attract. The jubilation and hope expressed by NUP supporters were palpable,” Beinomugisha said.

In Bundibugyo, the police made every effort to disrupt Kyagulanyi’s team. Despite blocking the venue where Kyagulanyi had planned to address the crowds, NUP supporters resisted and instead gathered at the party offices. This determination worked well because people were eager to see their president and hear his message.

In Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality, the turnout was enormous. Beinomugisha noted that Bushenyi-Ishaka is predominantly an opposition stronghold, and Kyagulanyi’s visit demonstrated that the numbers at the Kizinda grounds could potentially shift the political landscape in the 2026 general elections.

“This was the largest crowd that NUP has ever attracted in Ishaka, western Uganda,” Beinomugisha said. “Approximately 8,000 people gathered and lined the streets of Bushenyi, welcoming Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, the Secretary-General, members of parliament, the western Uganda NUP vice president, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, Lina Zedriga for Northern Uganda, and David Luis Lubongoya, the NUP Secretary-General.”

He added, “Whereas traffic blocked all the way on the Bushenyi-Ishaka-Kasese road, it clearly shows NUP taking over key strategic areas of the NRM, weakening their strongholds.”

In Ntungamo, the rally was equally impressive, largely due to the influence of the NUP president’s wife, whose father hails from the area. The people of Ntungamo were enthusiastic to see their in-law, President Kyagulanyi.

“This puts the NRM in a precarious position because previously, NUP could not draw such crowds. It indicates widespread dissatisfaction with NRM leadership. In conclusion, I assert that western Uganda is losing patience with the NRM’s unfulfilled promises,” Beinomugisha said.

Beinomugisha will have to face off with the NRM incumbent, Derrick Kabuura, who has been notably quiet in parliament for the past five years.