By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The 2021 general elections brought a significant shift in Uganda’s Central region, Buganda, as the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, swept the majority of parliamentary seats and secured a landslide victory in the presidential election. The ruling NRM party and FDC faced significant challenges in the region.
At the presidential level, NUP garnered 61% of the votes in Buganda, while NRM secured 33.6%. In Kampala, the capital city, Bobi Wine received 72% of the valid votes cast, leaving Museveni with 24%.
The NUP wave impacted the performance of opposition parties like FDC, which had long aligned with the Kingdom, promising federalism. Out of 105 electoral areas in Buganda, NUP won 53 seats, NRM secured 31, FDC got 3, Democratic Party (DP) won 7, and Independents took 7.
Despite their defeat, NRM and FDC are expressing optimism about regaining their lost ground in Buganda. FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo stated that they are rebuilding from scratch to ensure FDC regains strength in the region by 2026.
“Buganda is a complex area, we have to give it extra care and at the end of the day, we are going to penetrate and get the people of Buganda to support us,” said Kikonyogo.
FDC attributed their poor performance to internal party challenges, which they claim have been resolved. The party is now focused on mobilization campaigns to reawaken supporters and gain strength in the region.
“People should know that FDC is moving on. People should come back to their party. It is a people’s party with an ideology and support because we believe in a democratic change of One Uganda , One People,” said Mumbejja Nassuna Oliva, FDC Secretary for Mobilization for Buganda region.
FDC has been running countrywide mobilization campaigns in different parts of Uganda where they have been recruiting and registering new members and renewing membership for old members under their first ever digital membership registration system. The party will kickstart their campaign in Buganda on August 17th, 2024, with a rally in Buikwe, Lugazi.
