The NRM's Controversial Comeback Plan: A Threat to Buganda's Autonomy?
Is the NRM's strategy a democratic recovery or a power grab?
In the recent elections, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) faced a significant defeat in Buganda, a region that has traditionally been a stronghold of the opposition. With just 35% of the presidential vote and a meager 31 out of 105 parliamentary seats, the NRM's influence in Buganda seems to be dwindling.
But here's where it gets controversial. Kampala's Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has accused the NRM of a calculated plot to forcefully bring Buganda back under its political control. He claims the 'Buganda for Museveni' campaign is a mere facade to undermine the region's opposition stronghold.
Lukwago argues that the NRM is attempting to 'grab the region by force,' a bold statement that raises questions about the party's intentions. He highlights the historical opposition dominance in Buganda and suggests that internal issues within the opposition could be exploited by the NRM.
The Lord Mayor also points to the neglect of crucial economic sectors in Buganda, such as the coffee industry, which is vital to local communities. He criticizes the government for not prioritizing these sectors, citing the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) as a concerning example.
NRM's Deputy Secretary General, Rose Namayanja Nsereko, admits to the party's poor performance in Buganda, blaming internal divisions and multiple candidates for the same seats. She claims the NRM has since worked on unity and is now stronger, aiming for a better showing in the 2026 polls.
However, the NRM's resurgence in Buganda is not without skepticism. The rise of Robert Kyagulanyi's National Unity Platform (NUP) and widespread youth support for the opposition are seen as significant factors in the NRM's previous losses. And this is the part most people miss: the NRM's strategy might be interpreted as a forceful political maneuver, raising concerns about the region's autonomy.
So, is the NRM's strategy a democratic recovery or a controversial power play? The debate is open, and the people of Buganda will surely have their say.
