Door-to-door treks by candidates to sell their manifestos continued to dominate the second day of search for votes in Kampala City.
The Electoral Commission (EC) flagged off campaigns for all parliamentary and district chairpersons (LC5), and mayors for the January 15 polls on Monday.
However, instead of large public rallies witnessed in the run up to the 2021 elections, many contestants from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, the Opposition, and Independents adopted door-to-door campaigns in the first two days.
Unlike the National Unity Platform (NUP) that launched joint campaign rallies for area MP candidates, Division mayors, and Lord Councillors (LCs), other contenders from various political parties, including NRM, were knocking on doors, seeking support one household at a time.
In Kawempe North, Ms Faridah Nambi, the NRM candidate, told residents of Kawempe I Parish that her campaign will focus on household engagements, with only three major rallies planned for January 2026.
‘My main initiative is door-to-door campaigns because most of the electorate would like [the candidates] to knock and ask for their vote physically. We’re also able to get first-hand feedback, which helps us prioritise the most pressing community demands,’ she said.
She was told about the daily struggles people face and the need for real change. ‘Unemployment is affecting everyone, and we need action. Kawempe is mostly composed of youths, many of whom find it hard to make ends meet,’ said Goret Nakibuuka, one of the residents who spoke to Nambi.
After her interaction with residents, Ms Nambi told the media she would prioritise youth access to jobs once elected.
Ms Nambi seeks to unseat Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who trounced her in the recent by-election that followed the death of late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Nakawa Division
In Nakawa Division, by 10am, the former Nakawa East MP, Mr Fredrick Ruhindi, who is the NRM flag bearer for the constituency, had already kicked off his door-to-door campaign.
Mr Ruhindi, a senior counsel, represented Nakawa East in Parliament from 2016 to 2021 before the seat was taken over by Mr Ronald Balimwezo.
Accompanied by a group of supporters, Mr Ruhindi started off in Kitawuluzi and Mbuya parishes, where he interacted with vendors and women working in local restaurants. He pledged improved service delivery once given another mandate.
‘Our people are not lazy. They only need a strong voice to represent them. They have tested the Opposition, and now is time [for NRM] to rescue our people in Nakawa,’ Mr Ruhindi said.
‘People want opportunities, they want skills training, capital for small businesses, and leaders who understand their struggles. That is why I am returning, because they deserve proper representation,’ he added.
FDC’s Moses Okwera Mugisha, who is running for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat launched his campaign at Kinawataka Katoogo Zone.
He told the residents the EC had allocated him only two days to campaign in the area.
He promised to move door- to -door to canvass support for FDC party president Nandala Mafabi as well the party candidates for Lord Mayor, division mayor, and councillors.
He promised to establish an FDC office within the parish to help address community issues and strengthen the party’s connection with grassroots supporters.
Rubaga Division
The Rubaga Division Speaker, Musa Mbaziira, launched his campaign to represent Rubaga South in Parliament on the ruling NRM ticket.
He pledged to replace what he termed as ‘comedy and unserious politics’ with focused leadership and community-driven development.
Mr Mbaziira, who was recently nominated after emerging top in the NRM party primaries, began his campaign with door-to-door engagements across parts of Ndeeba, Kabowa, and Mutundwe, where he met traders, youth groups, boda boda and taxi riders.
Unlike the previous election seasons that were marked by heavy security presence, the first day saw minimal security deployment, with the residents freely interacting with him as he moved through local markets and trading centres.
Meanwhile, NUP candidates in Rubaga South pledged to prioritise youth empowerment and improved health services in their community. During the launch of her campaign in Rubaga South, parliamentary aspirant Mugimba Nassolo said her focus will be on equipping young people and women with practical skills for self-reliance. ‘Youth and women make up the biggest portion of our population and are the next generation of leaders,’ Ms Nassolo said.
‘With the help of our youth leaders, we shall lobby for skilling initiatives and startup capital to help them create their own jobs and improve their livelihoods.’
Meanwhile, Mr Julius Katongole, the councillor for Rubaga South, echoed Ms Nassolo’s commitment to youth inclusion and service delivery.
He said his campaign is centred on increasing access to health services and creating platforms for young leaders to grow.
Meanwhile, NRM flag bearer for Rubaga North, Singh Katongole, on November 11 pledged to prioritise infrastructure development, improved livelihoods, and economic empowerment for women and boda boda riders if elected MP in the forthcoming polls.
During day two campaigns in Lungujja zone VII in Lubaga North yesterday, Mr Katongole said the constituency has for long suffered from poor roads, inadequate drainage systems, and limited access to essential social services.
He pledged to coordinate with the government and the local leadership to address the issues.
‘Our people deserve better roads, clean water, and working health centres,’ Katongole said.
‘Once elected, I will lobby the government to rehabilitate our major community roads, expand street lighting, and improve waste management to make Rubaga North a safer and more productive place for everyone.’
He promised to introduce programmes to professionalise the transport sector and help boda boda riders access affordable financing, training, and safety gear.