The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Director of Communication and Publicity, Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, has urged voters in Kalangala District to support the party’s flag bearer, Idah Nabayiga, while praising President Museveni’s decision to introduce oil palm growing in the district.
Dombo made the remarks during a mobilisation campaign on Buggala Island, where he met residents at Kaazi-Malanga Landing Site in Bujumba Sub-county as part of efforts to rally support for NRM ahead of the Kalangala Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Addressing residents, Dombo said he was in the area to seek votes for the party candidate and thanked the community for its continued support of the NRM.
"We are here looking for votes for the NRM flag bearer. We are very happy about the assurances given by the people because, in the general elections, they voted for the NRM," Dombo said.
He said support from local leaders, including Members of Parliament and other officials, demonstrated unity within the party and commitment to advancing Kalangala’s development agenda.
During the engagement, residents raised concerns about challenges affecting the fishing sector, access to clean water, and the conduct of some local leaders.
Dombo assured them that the party leadership would engage relevant authorities to address the issues raised.
"We shall come back here and work together with them in order to improve how they relate and determine what government should do about the fishing sector," he said.
Dombo also reflected on his earlier opposition to the introduction of oil palm growing in Kalangala, admitting that he had been influenced by concerns raised by environmental critics at the time.
He said that while serving in Parliament, he opposed the initiative after being convinced by former Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi that clearing land for oil palm plantations could damage the environment and turn the island district into a desert.
"If President Museveni comes to Ssese, I will apologise to him. On our behalf, led by Mr Lukyamuzi, we are going to apologise to the President for fighting his initiative of palm oil growing," Dombo said.
He acknowledged that the fears raised at the time had not materialised and argued that the project had contributed to improving livelihoods in Kalangala.
"Since the palm oil came, haven't lives improved?" he asked residents.
As campaigns for the Kalangala Woman MP seat continue, Dombo urged voters to support NRM candidates, arguing that having leaders from the ruling party would improve lobbying for government programmes.
"In the General Elections, NRM already got a landslide victory, so why send an opposition MP? To do what there?" he asked.
Using a transport analogy, Dombo encouraged voters to remain united behind the ruling party.
"I want to request you that we are entering a bus whose driver is NRM; let's get him yellow passengers and conductors," he said.
He also appealed to NRM supporters to welcome individuals returning from opposition parties, especially the National Unity Platform (NUP), and encourage them to support the party.
"Treat those who are returning from NUP as family members. Don't insult them. Work with them to ensure that they bring us more converts," Dombo said.
The NRM mobilisation team also visited other areas, including Dajje and Buyiri parishes, where similar messages were delivered as the party seeks to consolidate support ahead of the by-election.