By Mulengera Reporters
In an unprecedented turn of events that has left Kyotera buzzing, President Yoweri Museveni has lavished praise on two of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) most powerful figures—Haruna Kasolo and Patrick Kintu Kisekulo—who, despite their bitter rivalry, have united in a groundbreaking show of cooperation aimed at securing a crushing NRM victory in the 2026 general elections.
This surprising political partnership was unveiled during Museveni’s electrifying campaign rally at St. James Secondary School in Kyotera district, where the President was quick to acknowledge the two NRM titans for putting aside their differences in the name of party unity.
Kasolo, the dynamic State Minister for Microfinance and NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, and Kisekulo, the formidable Kyotera NRM Chairman and District Chairperson, have long been at the center of a fierce rivalry that nearly tore the party apart in Kyotera.
Their longstanding feud was only worsened by the tragic death of Mathias Kasamba, the late Director of Mobilization and Cadre Identification for the NRM. Kasamba’s passing in April 2021 left a massive vacuum, shattering the fragile unity that the two leaders had barely maintained.
Before Kasamba’s death, he was the glue that kept together the fractured factions of the NRM in Kyotera, managing to balance the power struggle between Kasolo, Kisekulo, and other key players like Magdalene Nasolo, the Mutukula NRM chairperson.
However, tensions reached a boiling point when Kisekulo, frustrated by Kasolo’s aggressive moves against him, made a shocking decision to walk away from the NRM. He cited Kasolo’s inexplicable hostility as the reason for his departure. But now, with an eye firmly on the 2026 elections, the two have set aside their past grievances to focus on one common goal: bringing Kyotera back into the NRM fold.
The shift in political fortunes has been dramatic. As Kasolo took the stage in Kyotera, he told President Museveni that for the first time, NRM leaders across the district—from the smallest villages to the bustling towns—are working hand-in-hand, setting aside differences for a united cause.
Their mission? To achieve a 100% vote for the NRM in the upcoming election. A bold claim, considering that in the 2021 elections, Museveni and Kasolo both suffered major losses to the opposition, with Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) triumphing with a staggering 64.85% of the vote.
But Kasolo is optimistic. He proudly shared with the President that a new, energetic group of youth calling themselves “Foot Soldiers” has been tirelessly canvassing for votes since March, riding on bodabodas and spreading the NRM message in ways never seen before in the region. This is a clear sign that things are changing in Kyotera, and Kasolo is determined to reclaim what was lost.
In a bold request, Kasolo asked President Museveni to take time out during the upcoming Christmas holiday to meet with his army of youth, teachers, health workers, and mechanics. This rare face-to-face session could prove to be a turning point in the 2026 election race, as Kasolo and his team aim to re-establish their dominance in the district.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally compelling move, Kisekulo presented a list of demands to the President underscoring the region’s growing frustration. Among the requests were the urgent constructions of a bridge connecting Kasensero Town Council to Kagoma and the establishment of a Seed Secondary School in Mutukula, a region desperate for educational infrastructure.
Kisekulo also called for Mutukula’s upgrade to a municipality, citing its key role in Uganda’s economic activities, particularly with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) collecting a whopping 5 billion shillings annually from the region.
In a direct response, President Museveni made several promises that have sent ripples through the region. He vowed to fast-track the tarmacking of the Kyapa-Kasensero road, bringing it in line with the development seen on the Masaka-Bukakata road. He also committed to the construction of a crucial bridge linking Uganda to Tanzania, a major project that could transform the region’s trade dynamics.
The stakes are high in Kyotera, and with two political giants now seemingly united, the district’s future looks set to become a battleground for the NRM as they prepare to fight back in the 2026 elections. Whether this new-found alliance between Kasolo and Kisekulo can overcome their tumultuous past remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Kyotera is no longer the same. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
