Kikuube District stands to benefit more from government programs under National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has told residents as campaigns close for Thursday’s LC5 by-election.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Kaseeta Primary School in Kabwoya Sub-county on Tuesday, Nabbanja urged voters to elect NRM flag bearer Paddy Kisembo, saying his victory would strengthen service delivery and ensure continuity of government projects.
‘If women want to benefit from funds from the Office of the Prime Minister, they should vote for the NRM flag bearer. If you want improved health services and more administrative units, then support Paddy Kisembo,’ she said.
The by-election is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, and pits Kisembo against Fenekansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform. According to the Electoral Commission, Kikuube has 330 polling stations and 140,999 registered voters.
Nabbanja praised NRM’s record in the Albertine region, citing road construction, infrastructure development and the creation of Kikuube District as key gains. She warned voters against handing leadership to the opposition.
‘The NRM has done many things in the Albertine region, including tarmacking roads and creating Kikuube District. I want to urge voters not to vote for the opposition candidate. Do not risk giving the district to people who may not continue the development path,’ Nabbanja said.
She also encouraged residents to turn up in large numbers, saying strong turnout would secure ongoing programs initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. ‘I encourage all voters to come out and vote for the NRM candidate so that ongoing government programs can continue benefiting the people of Kikuube,’ she added.
Agriculture and water top Kisembo’s agenda
For Kisembo, the campaign has focused on agriculture, which supports most households in the district. He said his background in farming places him in a good position to transform the sector.
‘My main focus will be ensuring that agriculture is boosted in Kikuube District. Most people in Kaseeta Parish and surrounding areas depend on farming, and I want to help farmers embrace technology to increase production,’ he said.
Kisembo noted that farmers still face challenges with limited irrigation, poor methods and inadequate markets, and pledged to work with government agencies and development partners to promote modern practices.
He also highlighted water shortages and poor roads as urgent issues. ‘The people of Kaseeta Parish face serious water shortages for both domestic use and irrigation. Some areas also have poor roads despite the existence of a district road unit. These are issues that require urgent attention,’ he said.
Grace Mary Mugasa echoed those concerns, saying land conflicts remain a major problem. ‘The people of Kikuube continue to face challenges such as land grabbing, poor roads and inadequate water sources. These are issues that need to be addressed to improve livelihoods,’ Mugasa said.
Land disputes have grown in the Albertine region as population and investment increase competition for land.
Local leaders in Kabwoya Sub-county also used the rally to call for more administrative units. LC3 Chairperson Francis Twesige Mukooto said some villages and parishes have become too large to manage effectively.
‘We have villages that are almost the size of parishes and parishes that are equally very large. Subdividing them would bring services closer to the people and improve administration,’ Mukooto said.