The National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has called on party leaders from Buganda to intensify mobilization efforts and turn the region into a political fortress for the opposition ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Mr Kyagulabyi declared Buganda must become a “no-go zone” for President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Kyagulanyi made the remarks during a leadership training conference held at the party’s headquarters in Kavule, Kampala, which brought together current and aspiring leaders from across Buganda.
The meeting attracted Members of Parliament, city mayors, and local government leaders, all hailing from the region.
In his address, Kyagulanyi urged participants to rally all eligible Ugandans to engage in the electoral process, stressing the need for unity and active participation if the opposition is to achieve meaningful change in the country.
"I am asking you to go back and rally all Ugandans to engage in elections. Everyone can play a different role—some by contesting," Kyagulanyi said.
“We want to have a candidate at every elective position who is able to beat Museveni’s candidate.”
The NUP leader emphasized the importance of consolidating support in Buganda, where the party has historically performed strongly.
“Make it [Buganda] a no-go area for Museveni,” he charged the gathering.
Kyagulanyi also referenced the 2021 elections, arguing that although the party won the popular vote, the official results did not reflect that outcome.
He called for heightened vigilance and strategic preparation ahead of the next election cycle.
Amid rising interest in contesting various positions under the NUP banner, concerns were raised over alleged favoritism and claims that party tickets are being sold.
However, party officials firmly rejected the accusations.
"Don’t be tempted to pay any money to anyone for the party ticket,” said NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya. “Not even me, not even the president has the party ticket. The ticket belongs to the people at the grassroots.”
Participants were urged to focus on constituencies currently held by NRM legislators in Buganda, with NUP’s Buganda regional deputy president Muwanga Kivumbi vowing that the party would invest significant effort to unseat all ruling party incumbents.
“If you are going to contest in a constituency where there is an NRM candidate or even a DP candidate, we are going to give you full support," Kivumbi said.
"We want the fifty constituencies currently occupied by our opponent won back to the party."
With 27 districts and 50 parliamentary seats currently held by the NRM in Buganda, the region remains a critical battleground in the 2026 elections.
Party officials encouraged internal consensus-building to manage competition among NUP aspirants, emphasizing that capturing power should override individual ambitions.