Thousands of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters flooded Kawempe Mbogo Grounds as President Yoweri Museveni arrives to show support for NRM candidate Faridah Nambi ahead of Kawempe North by-election.
The rally which saw a massive turnout of boda boda riders under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), local leaders and high-profile musicians is NRM’s last push to secure victory in the battle to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya as Kawempe North’s Member of Parliament.
From early morning, the streets of Kawempe were painted yellow as thousands of NRM supporters marched towards the venue waving party flags and chanting pro-NRM slogans.
Boda boda riders, business owners and party loyalists lined the roads eager to welcome the President and reaffirm their allegiance to the ruling party.
The rally is nothing short of a political spectacle, featuring performances by some of Uganda’s top musicians further energizing the crowd before Museveni’s much-anticipated address.
Kawempe North by-election has emerged as one of the most intense political contests in recent memory. The seat was previously held by opposition politician Muhammad Ssegirinya a staunch National Unity Platform (NUP) figure.
His passing created a power vacuum in one of Kampala’s most politically charged constituencies setting the stage for a fierce showdown between NRM’s Faridah Nambi and NUP’s Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi.
For NRM, winning Kawempe North would be a significant breakthrough in a constituency historically dominated by the opposition.
The President’s direct involvement in the campaign signals the ruling party’s determination to reclaim ground in Kampala, an area that has remained largely under opposition control.
The contrast between NRM’s well-organized rally and the police suppression on NUP’s final campaign event could not have been simpler.
Just hours earlier, NUP candidate Elias Nalukoola was arrested and his supporters teargassed and dispersed by security forces.
Opposition figures have decried the double standards questioning why NRM events receive full police protection while opposition gatherings face violent interruptions.
“While we were being arrested, tear-gassed and shot at, NRM is having a party. Is this what they call a fair election?”
With just a day left until the by-election, tensions are at an all-time high. NRM has made its final stand with a presidential endorsement while NUP is crying foul over suppression and arrests.
