MBARARA | With the 2026 elections fast approaching, the National Unity Platform (NUP) is setting its sights on Western Uganda—particularly Ankole—a region long considered a stronghold of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
NUP leaders in Ankole say they are determined to break what they call the NRM’s political monopoly.
But they are also quick to point out the challenges ahead, including voter intimidation, structural limitations, and a lack of campaign resources.
“Western Uganda is already painted yellow with NRM branding,” said Bright Muhumuza, NUP’s Regional Coordinator for Western Uganda. “But we are working to change the status quo.”
The opposition party is registering a steady rise in aspiring candidates, yet its presence on the ground remains limited, especially in terms of visibility.
Campaign posters are scarce, not by choice, but due to financial constraints and alleged sabotage.
“Previously, we put posters there, but there's a group of tax operators headed by their chairman Aaron—they pulled down all our banners,” Muhumuza said. “And remember, posters are an expensive project.”
"You find you don’t have money to print out posters, run rallies, or hold meetings,” added Joshua Tumukunde, Head of NUP’s Legal Department for Western Region. “But we are trying here and there. We are not like the incumbents who already have government funding.”
According to NUP, NRM’s early dominance in the region is partly due to its financial muscle, which allows it to saturate communities with campaign materials and activities well before the official campaign season.
Despite that, NUP’s grassroots mobilization is in full swing. Kunga teams and foot soldiers are actively recruiting supporters across Western Uganda’s districts.
“People are responding and we hope the numbers will multiply,” said Muhumuza. “We’ve moved across the region, appointed leaders at every level—from village to district—to help in our coordination efforts.”
Among the notable candidates expected to carry the NUP flag in 2026 are Tumukunde for Igara East (currently held by NRM’s Michael Mawanda), Jolly Jacklin Tukamushaba for Rukiga, Bright Muhumuza and Julian Kabagambe for Mbarara City, and Godfrey Beinomugisha for Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality.
The party still bears scars from the 2021 election, where leaders cite widespread voter intimidation and rigging. Tumukunde recalled how agents and supporters were blocked from accessing polling stations and tally centres. “Many people still fear openly associating with NUP for their safety, yet they support us,” he said.
Even as they face financial hurdles and a deeply entrenched opponent, NUP insists it will pursue issue-based campaigns and resist the temptation of money politics.
“Everywhere you go, people are looking for money in exchange for votes,” said Tukamushaba, who also serves as NUP’s Deputy President for Western Uganda. “It’s hard to share your manifesto without being asked, ‘What are you leaving with us?’ But we want to change that.”
With limited resources but growing grassroots support, NUP is preparing for an uphill battle in 2026—one they hope will chip away at NRM’s long-standing grip on Western Uganda.
