The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition political party, is actively expanding its rural footprint, demonstrating a concerted effort to broaden its support base beyond urban centers as the nation gears up for the next general elections.
The latest manifestation of this strategic growth is the public opening of a new NUP office in Kamuli Municipality, Kamuli district, a move aimed at bolstering grassroots mobilization and increasing the party’s visibility upcountry.
The grand opening event, held at the Budhumbula Palace Trading Center Southern Division in Kamuli Municipality, saw enthusiastic party supporters, often referred to as “footsoldiers,” converge to celebrate the milestone.
A key moment during the gathering was the resounding endorsement of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as their preferred presidential candidate for the upcoming polls.
The establishment of the new office was sponsored by Silver Segonga, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Kamuli Municipality. Segonga articulated that the office would serve as a “strategic” hub for the opposition, offering crucial “visibility” to the party’s activities in the region.
He emphasized its inclusive nature, stating, “I have offered it to serve everyone in opposition, not only NUP, because we are an Umbrella.”
Segonga further highlighted the prevailing socio-economic conditions as a fertile ground for opposition growth.
“When a person complains of lack of medicine in health units, bad road network, corruption, and manipulation brought to the fore during NRM Primaries, that one becomes opposition in thoughts, so let us go get them on board by default,” he charged, suggesting that widespread dissatisfaction with service delivery under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) could convert many into de facto opposition supporters.
He also called for tolerance and a spirit of sacrifice among opposition members to achieve victory.
Proscovia Naikoba Kanakutanda, a NUP member aspiring to unseat the long-serving Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga as Kamuli District Woman MP, delivered a stirring keynote address.
She cautioned against passive loyalty and diversionary tactics, urging the opposition to maintain sharp focus. Naikoba stressed the critical nature of the next Parliament, describing it as a “transition” period that will be “highest, turbulent, and requires legislators of steel, energy, and tested.”
She directly challenged the NRM, stating, “The NRM is the master of robbery, corruption, hypocrisy, intrigue, and many other vices. We need to aggressively mobilize, put on running gears, above all, utilize every space and opportunity maximally to clear the way and bring to end the NRM rule.”
Naikoba also pointed to the disappointments arising from the recent NRM primaries as a prime opportunity for NUP to recruit disgruntled members into its fold.
Meanwhile, Ruth Birungi, a dedicated NUP footsoldier from Kamuli, issued a stern warning against “masqueraders” and “party tourists.” She specifically called out figures like Gen. Moses Bigirwa, cautioning, “Gen. Moses Bigirwa should stay in his lane and stop putting humps on our political journey,” referencing past defections and perceived opportunism.
Michael Kasiko, the NUP Chairperson for Kamuli district, lauded Segonga’s commitment and generosity in providing the office space. He noted its vital role in offsetting budgetary constraints and significantly boosting the party’s presence.
“It is unfortunate some of our top leaders have taken this office opening for granted, forgetting its big impact and visibility it is giving to NUP because whoever enters and exits Kamuli conspicuously sees NUP Office unlike when we were hidden,” Kasiko voiced, underscoring the strategic importance of the new highly visible location.
The opening of the Kamuli office marks a significant step in NUP’s strategy to solidify its presence across Uganda, signaling its readiness to challenge the incumbent party on a broader national scale ahead of the pivotal elections.
