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By BM
State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku, has declared that the political transition within the country through the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is already underway and nearing its conclusion.
His comments, made during a youth workshop in Kampala, are among the clearest indications yet that the party is preparing for leadership change ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing participants at the Youth Peace Ambassadors’ Workshop held at the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) in Naguru, Kabyanga told young leaders that internal preparations for transition had begun long ago and were now in their final stages.
He further implied that the party already knew who would lead next, stating that the transition was essentially complete and that the public should not expect any dramatic or abrupt shift in leadership.
The Minister used metaphoric language to emphasize that some people fail to perceive or understand ongoing developments within the party.
He suggested that while some members of the public remained unaware, those deeply involved in national affairs already had clarity about the future leadership of the NRM.
Kabyanga’s remarks come at a time when the question of succession continues to dominate political discourse in Uganda.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, has not publicly indicated whether he will run in 2026.
However, speculation continues to mount regarding a possible handover, and the Minister’s comments appear to validate those expectations.
Throughout his address, Kabyanga challenged the youth—particularly university graduates, to become more involved in the political process.
He described them as the best-positioned citizens to audit political parties, citing their education and analytical capabilities.
He remarked that while older leaders like himself might only manage to read a few verses or skim through information, university students were still intellectually equipped to read and digest full documents, including newspapers and political manifestos.
The Minister encouraged these young Ugandans to hold all political parties accountable, including the NRM, National Unity Platform (NUP), and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), not through insults or slogans but by focusing on issues and policies.
He insisted that campaigns in 2026 should be based on facts and solutions, rather than mere criticism or vague promises.
He criticized sections of the opposition for failing to present viable alternatives to government programs, suggesting that it was insufficient to simply denounce a policy or system without offering a concrete replacement.
According to Kabyanga, simply stating that one would make people rich without explaining how amounted to empty rhetoric and not a credible political platform.
He further advised youth affiliated with different political parties to make use of their official party manifestos as reference documents. NRM supporters, he said, could obtain their manifesto from the party secretariat.
Those affiliated with NUP and FDC, he added with a hint of sarcasm, should go to their respective headquarters—Kavule or Najjanankumbi, depending on the internal dynamics of those parties.
A significant theme in his speech was the call to “protect the game” a phrase he repeatedly used to describe Uganda’s current peace and political structure.
He urged the youth to recognize the historical gains made since the NRM came to power in 1986.
Reflecting on the country’s past, he said that many of the freedoms and infrastructure that young people enjoy today, such as university halls and public platforms for political debate would have been unimaginable in earlier decades.
While acknowledging that the government is not perfect, Kabyanga reiterated that President Museveni has consistently identified corruption as a key problem that must be addressed.
Despite this, he maintained that the NRM’s achievements in governance and stability should not be dismissed.
He called on the youth to support the consolidation and protection of these gains.
On the digital front, the Minister addressed concerns over the misuse of social media, stating that technology itself is not the problem, but rather the way people choose to engage with it.
He urged the youth to use digital platforms to promote truth, peace, and unity.
He challenged them to become ambassadors of constructive dialogue and national development, noting that this generation had the power to transform online activism into real-world change.
Kabyanga also encouraged the formation of peer-to-peer networks aimed at increasing voter registration, civic awareness, and peaceful political participation.
He suggested that many people who criticize the NRM do so out of ignorance and that youth activists should reach out to these individuals, provide them with accurate information, and engage them in dialogue rather than confrontation.
He ended his speech with a powerful call to action, stating that the older generation is gradually exiting the political stage, and it is now up to the youth to shape the future.
He warned that if the younger generation does not take responsibility for safeguarding the country’s progress, they would inherit the consequences of a broken system.
The event, which brought together Student and youth leaders from several institutions of higher learning include, Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kampala International University (KIU), and Makerere University Business School (MUBS), was also attended by the Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama.
It forms part of a wider national initiative to promote peace, digital literacy, and electoral integrity ahead of the 2026 elections.
Kabyanga’s remarks have added new momentum to the ongoing debate around leadership succession in Uganda, leaving both the public and political analysts reading between the lines of what may soon be a defining chapter in the NRM’s history. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
