A group of politicians who failed to win NRM tickets in recent party primaries has opened official offices in Kamwokya, sending a clear message that losing an election doesn’t mean leaving the party.
The former candidates officially launched their offices on Thursday at Child Welfare Guest House in Kampala’s Kamwokya suburb, transforming themselves from disappointed office-seekers into ground-level party workers committed to delivering votes for President Museveni and winning NRM candidates.
Operating under the name NRM Patriotic Candidates 2025 for Buganda, the group says their decision to stay loyal rather than run as independents came directly from the President himself.
Hillary Katandikwa, who chairs the association, explained how President Museveni personally intervened to prevent the primaries from tearing the party apart.
“We were asked by His Excellency the President not to divide the party after primaries but to remain united and support our flag bearers,” Katandikwa said. “We listened, we mobilised, and today the results speak for themselves. NRM has registered a strong comeback in Buganda.”
Many in the group had seriously considered going independent after their primary defeats, according to Katandikwa, but ultimately chose patience over rebellion. “We decided to wait for our turn and strengthen the party instead of weakening it,” he added.
The decision appears to have paid off politically. Hon. Nakamya Fatiah, widely known as Suubi lye’Kawempe, contested for the Kawempe South Woman MP slot but lost. Rather than sulking, she joined the mobilisation machine that helped NRM recover ground it had lost in Buganda during the 2021 elections.
“In 2021, NRM was almost wiped out in Buganda, but this time we moved village to village, parish to parish, under Buganda Ku Museveni drive, telling people the truth about the party and President Museveni,” Nakamya said. “We are proud that Buganda has once again stood with the NRM.”
The “Buganda Ku Museveni” campaign that Nakamya referenced was coordinated by senior party figures including CEC member Haruna Kasolo and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, with support from regional coordinators like those now running the Kamwokya offices.
Hon. Saul Kalwanga, who coordinates NRM activities in Greater Mubende, described the group’s role as broader than just presidential campaigning.
“We were fully involved in mobilising support for all NRM flag bearers, not just the presidential candidate,” Kalwanga said. “The President trusted us with this assignment, and we delivered.”
Hon. Uwamahoro Faridah Bigirimana, the Mubende District NRM Coordinator, pointed to the inclusive approach taken by senior party leaders as key to keeping former aspirants motivated.
“We were embraced by party leaders like Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Hon. Robert Ndugwa Migadde of Buvuma, and many others,” Uwamahoro said. “They worked with us without discrimination, and that motivated us to give our best.”
At Thursday’s launch, the group essentially reported back to President Museveni that his orders had been followed and the mission accomplished across Buganda.
But the Kamwokya offices aren’t just about politics. The group announced plans to launch a SACCO as part of their organizational structure.
“This SACCO will help us mobilise resources, support each other economically, and remain active in community development as we prepare for future opportunities,” Katandikwa said.
The new offices will function as a hub for political organizing, voter engagement, and economic projects—a signal that these former candidates aren’t going anywhere, even if they’re not on the ballot this time around.
