Former Foreign Affairs Minister and long-serving NRM district chairperson Sam Kahamba Kuteesa has declared a renewed political fight to reclaim Mawogola South Constituency from the opposition ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a handover ceremony where he officially transferred the NRM district office to his successor, Gen. Phenehansi Katrima, Kuteesa vowed to “uproot” the opposition, currently led by NUP’s Gorreth Namugga, from the constituency.
“Sembabule has always been an NRM stronghold. We cannot sit back and watch the opposition take control of our area,” Kuteesa said, urging members to unite behind the party’s flag bearers.
He added, "I will only campaign in Mawogola South coz I want to chase opposition from that constituency."
However, some NRM members in the district warned that Kuteesa faces a tough battle, given the persistent divisions within the party. Several former NRM members have declared their intentions to run as independents after disputes during the primaries.
NRM district mobilizer Shafiq Matovu noted that the party’s disunity has given the opposition room to expand its influence in Sembabule.
“Unless we come together as one family, the opposition will continue to gain ground,” he said.
Despite the internal cracks, other NRM leaders, including District General Secretary Mary Begumisa who doubles as a woman member of parliament for Sembabule, insisted that the situation is improving, claiming that several opposition supporters have already defected to the ruling party.
Independent parliamentary aspirant Denis Ddumba, who fell out with the NRM during the last elections, blamed the current political confusion on the party leadership’s failure to engage the grassroots.
“Our leaders neglected the people who vote for them, creating space for the opposition to grow,” Ddumba said.
Former NUP member Baker Byaayi Ssenyonga, who recently crossed to the NRM, expressed confidence in Kuteesa’s plan, saying that the people of Mawogola South have “seen through the empty promises of the opposition.”
“Once a house catches fire, it’s impossible to save it, the opposition’s time in Sembabule is over,” he said with a laugh.
The newly appointed NRM district chairperson, Gen. Phenehansi Katrima, pledged to continue Kuteesa’s efforts and strengthen the party’s grassroots structures to ensure NRM dominance in the district.
“Our goal is clear, to restore unity and make Sembabule fully NRM again,” Katrima told supporters.
During the ceremony, District Chairperson Patrick Nkalubo also called on party members to throw their full support behind President Yoweri Museveni in the forthcoming elections.