By Aggrey Baba
For years, the Buganda region has been a political battleground, with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) struggling to regain its former dominance.
In the 2021 general election, President Yoweri Museveni secured over 800,000 votes in Buganda, but opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, garnered about 1.4 million votes, dealing a heavy blow to the ruling party. Most NRM Members of Parliament in the region were also swept out by opposition candidates, marking one of the biggest political shifts in Uganda’s recent history.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, the question remains, whether NRM can reclaim Buganda, or the opposition will continue to hold sway, remains to be seen.
On Tuesday night’s NBS Barometer show, political leaders tackled this debate head-on, delving into the region’s relationship with the central government, historical grievances, and the way forward.
The discussion quickly turned into a heated exchange, with leaders questioning Buganda’s political strategy and whether its opposition stance has helped or hindered its development.
Hon.Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, State Minister for microfinance noted that opposition leaders in other parts of Uganda often attend President Museveni’s events and use the platform to highlight their region’s challenges. However, in Buganda, he argued, opposition leaders deliberately avoid the President.
“In other regions, leaders show up, engage, and negotiate for their people. Here in Buganda, we distance ourselves. If you don’t talk to the person in charge, how will your concerns be addressed?” he asked.
The conversation then shifted to the issue of development and resource allocation. Hon. Kyeyune claimed that Buganda has not benefited as much as other regions from the “national cake” because of its resistance to the NRM government. [When you refuse to work with the one holding the spoon, don’t be surprised if your plate remains empty].
He argued that for Buganda to secure more resources, its leaders need to take a more cooperative approach with the central government rather than always opposing it.
Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, however, pointed to another longstanding issue of the Buganda Kingdom’s financial demands from the government. He revealed that the kingdom is still demanding over UGX 250 billion, mainly for land and assets previously taken over by the state. In response, Hon. Kasolo stated that the government has already cleared more than 75% of these payments. “Many people don’t know this, but a lot of what Buganda has been demanding has already been settled,” he insisted, though he did not provide a detailed breakdown.
With the elections fast approaching, the stakes in Buganda remain high. Kasolo believes NRM can still turn things around if it engages strategically with the region. He urged leaders and voters to think beyond party politics and focus on securing development for their communities.
However, with deep-seated grievances, economic concerns, and a strong opposition presence, the road ahead remains uncertain.
As the political drums grow louder towards 2026, it’s clear that Buganda will be a key battleground. Whether NRM can win back the region or whether history will repeat itself remains to be seen. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
