Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has officially kicked off its primary election campaigns in Kasese District, with parliamentary aspirants launching bids to secure the party flag ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Hundreds of party supporters gathered at a vibrant rally in Nyakasanga, Kasese Municipality, where five contenders for the MP slot took the stage to unveil their manifestos and appeal for grassroots support.
Among the leading contenders is Leonard Imanishimwe, who criticized what he termed as weak representation of Kasese at the national level.
He said the gap between local leaders and the central government has stifled development in the area.
“We must stop branding Kasese as an opposition stronghold. There is a real opportunity here to work with the central government to transform lives, especially by empowering our youth and women,” Imanishimwe said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Francis Kithulha, another front-runner in the race, focused on job creation through industrial development. He decried the underutilization of the Kasese Industrial Park and promised to champion its revival.
“The time is now to prioritize industrialization. Our young people need jobs, and this park is key. We must ensure it starts working for them,” Kithulha told supporters.
Other candidates echoed similar pledges on youth employment, improved service delivery, and better coordination with national government programs.
As the NRM intensifies its presence in Kasese—a district long considered a stronghold of opposition parties—party leaders have urged aspirants to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns and foster unity within the ruling party ranks.
Political observers say the NRM’s success in Kasese primaries could set the tone for whether the party can make meaningful inroads in a region that has historically leaned towards opposition blocs.
The campaigns are expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks as more candidates fan out across the district to win over voters ahead of the decisive primaries.
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