Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Sembabule District NRM chairperson, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, has launched an extensive mobilisation campaign across Sembabule, visiting 550 villages in just one month to reclaim the party’s dominance ahead of the 2026 elections.
Addressing NRM leaders from the six sub-counties of Mawogola North at Kisekera village in Lugusuulu, Kutesa said his main goal is to restore the party’s former strength after its support sharply declined in the 2021 elections.
“Sembabule was once one of NRM’s strongest strongholds, boasting up to 96% support. Dropping to 56% in the last election is unacceptable and dangerous for our party,” Kutesa said.
He set an ambitious target: “I am aiming for nothing less than 86% for President Museveni in Sembabule. We cannot allow the opposition to take root in a district that has always stood firmly with NRM.”
Kuteesa, who previously represented Mawogola North and served as district NRM chairperson, acknowledged that divided efforts during the last election contributed to Museveni’s underperformance.
He admitted that he had focused much of his energy on supporting his daughter, Shartis Musherure Kutesa, in her parliamentary bid.
He issued a firm warning to parliamentary aspirants, stating that he will not campaign for any MP this time, insisting his mobilisation efforts will focus exclusively on President Museveni.
“My daughter stepped down, and this time I am mobilising only for the President. If you are not supporting Museveni, I will not support you. And if you belong to NUP, I will fight you politically,” he emphasised.
Some local party leaders, however, urged Kuteesa to couple mobilisation for the President with support for NRM parliamentary candidates, warning that Museveni cannot win while MPs lose their seats.
NRM Sembabule Town Council chairperson Hajj Hassan Byarugaba said internal divisions could embarrass the party.
Youth leader Fred Mubeezi also urged Kutesa to engage young people more actively, noting that NUP’s influence among the youth remains strong.
Residents like Vicente Kasibante from Kyamugonya expressed frustration at supporting NRM while seeing limited improvements in their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Sembabule Woman MP hopeful Florence Nambaziira called for a reconciliation meeting between NRM flag bearers and independents to unify the party’s support base.
Kutesa did not respond directly to these suggestions.
NRM Sembabule District chairperson Phinehas Katirima welcomed Kutesa’s renewed involvement, saying party leaders had long lacked the tools and support needed for effective mobilisation.
Kutesa's daughter and Mawogola North MP Shartsi Musherure also encouraged residents to rally behind President Museveni in the upcoming elections.
The mobilisation campaign is expected to continue throughout Sembabule as NRM works to regain the overwhelming support it once enjoyed.
