Bukooli Central MP, Solomon Silwany, has emerged as a frontrunner in the race for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairmanship in Bugiri district. His path to this ambition was significantly cleared after he secured the Secretary Publicity NRM Mainstream post in Makoma one village, unopposed, during the recent village-level primaries. This victory came amidst a backdrop of significant disruption and accusations of malpractice that marred the NRM primaries across the district.
According to sources, Silwany’s competitors, Opendi Phillip and Wandera Tifu, withdrew their candidacies upon learning of his interest in the position. A close associate of Silwany stated, “When they learnt about it, they decided to step down for Silwany to continue with his vision for the district.” Now, Silwany has his sights set on replacing the current NRM district chairperson, Mutumba Stephen, a position he believes is crucial for revitalizing the party’s support base in Bugiri.
“He wants to be the district chairperson to reactivate NRM support in the district,” the associate revealed, citing the current chairman’s perceived inactivity and lack of engagement with the community. He further elaborated, “After ten years, the current chairperson has never appeared on any fora, be it a baraza, radio, etc., to mobilise for the party.”
This perceived absence, according to Silwany’s camp, has contributed to a decline in NRM support, evidenced by the President’s lower-than-expected 46% vote share in the previous elections. Silwany aims to address this by “energizing the party structures through holding several meetings in the district routinely.” The current chairman’s record, with only two district delegates conferences held in the last decade (both after the election roadmap announcement), further fuels the call for change.
Kiryia Bakali, the NRM chairperson for Bugiri Western Division, has publicly endorsed Silwany’s ambition. Bakali believes the district chairmanship would provide Silwany with the necessary platform to effectively contribute to all parts of the district.
“He is always called upon to support the community in different parts of the district, but whenever he goes to other constituencies, MPs of those areas report him before the speaker for challenging them and operating beyond his boundaries, hence opting for the NRM district chairperson, a position that will enable him to move to every corner of the district without obstruction,” Bakali explained.
However, Silwany’s ascent comes at a time of significant turmoil within the Bugiri NRM. The recently held village-level primaries were plagued by chaos, violence, and accusations of widespread electoral malpractice forcing the postponement of elections in several villages. According to a report by Bugiri district NRM Election Officer, Dan Ngia, candidates were suspected of transporting voters from rural areas to influence the outcome in urban centers.
The situation deteriorated in Nawampanda Village, where a candidate allegedly tore the voters’ register, leading to police intervention. As a result, elections in the affected areas have been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 7th, 2025.
While Silwany enjoys a smooth start with his unopposed win, he will inevitably face challenges in uniting the fragmented NRM structures in Bugiri, especially in the wake of the disputed primaries. His ability to address the concerns raised regarding election irregularities and galvanize the party will be crucial to his success as district chairperson. The coming months will prove whether he can deliver on his promise to revitalise NRM support in Bugiri.
