The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has urged residents of Luwero District to translate the overwhelming support at his rallies into votes in the upcoming general elections.
On Tuesday, Kyagulanyi campaigned in Luwero, addressing rallies at Zirobwe Town Council, Kalule Trading Centre, and Kyegombwa SDA playground. His presence attracted large crowds, with supporters pouring onto the streets and temporarily paralysing traffic along the Kampala–Gulu highway.
Kyagulanyi reminded residents that Luwero was the cradle of the National Resistance Army (NRA) war of 1981–1986 that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power. He said that 40 years later, the surviving fighters and their children regret supporting Museveni, whom he accused of betraying the people who ushered him into leadership.
He alleged that instead of rewarding Luwero, the NRM government has subjected its residents to land grabbing, corruption, and widespread human rights abuses. Kyagulanyi warned that re-electing the regime would give it another opportunity to repeat the same injustices.
He expressed satisfaction that residents have turned out in large numbers for his rallies, describing it as evidence that the district had lost trust in Museveni’s leadership. He, however, emphasised that mere attendance at rallies was not enough and urged voters to protect their ballots on election day.
Kyagulanyi advised supporters to remain at polling stations after casting their votes to monitor the process and prevent vote theft. He said the law allows voters to stay within 20 meters of the polling station, which he noted is sufficient to keep track of what is happening inside.
Kyagulanyi said that wherever he has campaigned, he has encountered overwhelming support, which he believes can be converted into electoral victory. In the 2021 general elections, Kyagulanyi garnered 103,782 votes (70.45%) in Luwero District, defeating President Museveni who received 41,166 votes (27.94%). Once a stronghold of the NRM due to its historical ties to the NRA bush war, the district shifted allegiance after residents expressed dissatisfaction with service delivery.
At least 297,752 people have registered to vote in Luwero ahead of the 2026 general elections. Luwero District Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya and Katikamu North MP Denis Sekabira said the residents remain loyal to Kyagulanyi because they are fed up with unfulfilled promises by the NRM government.
“You can’t imagine that 40 years in power, there are still NRA veterans that are still demanding for compensation. The Luwero district headquarters is not yet completed and we have nothing special to show that Museveni did for the area in appreciation for supporting him,” Nabukenya said.
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