The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has bounced back at the grassroots in Jinja City, winning 113 of the 141 Local Council I seats, a sharp contrast to the presidential and parliamentary polls where opposition parties dominated.
While the opposition swept all parliamentary constituencies and Division Mayor seats in the city, village-level results told a different story. The remaining 28 LC1 seats were shared between independent candidates and opposition flag bearers.
Mr Medi Mbentyo, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) national deputy head of mobilisation, blamed the opposition’s losses on disunity at the grassroots.
“This tendency of division among opposition supporters at the grassroots costs them seats. I have always said this and will continue to remind our members,” he said.
He explained that the divisions create indiscipline among members, leading to the rejection of candidates fronted by the parties.
Mr Mbentyo, a resident of Kyamagwa in Jinja North Division, added that some locals view opposition candidates as unruly and unfit to lead, giving an advantage to the more organised NRM candidates.
He advised opposition members to work with elected chairpersons to promote unity instead of attacking them.
Mr. Peter Okocha Kasolo, a retired politician formerly affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP), agreed, saying opposition candidates focused more on attacking President Yoweri Museveni instead of selling their own plans.
“Opposition flag bearers had nothing to tell residents apart from criticising President Museveni and his government. This made them lose seats because locals viewed them as leaders without a clear agenda,” Mr. Kasolo said.
The former Jinja City mayor observed that NRM candidates came with credible manifestos that helped them convince voters.
Mr. Kasolo said the NRM remains strong at the grassroots where voters consider practical community issues.
He cited lack of integrity and discipline among opposition candidates as another factor.
He explained that opposition parties often pick outspoken individuals as flag bearers, while the NRM carefully selects candidates for village elections, ‘recognising that grassroots leadership is the foundation of governance.’
Jinja City NRM General Secretary Mr. Medi Ntuyo said issuing party cards to trusted community members played a key role in the victories.
‘We realised that the candidates chosen as flag bearers in the first elections were not carefully selected. In fact, I personally wrote a minority report advising party members about the mistake we had made, but my concerns were ignored. This time, we took time to identify the best candidates, and that is what helped us secure the victories,’ Mr. Ntuyo said.
He added that the party intensified voter mobilisation after selecting individuals with integrity and a strong reputation.
Mr. Ntuyo said flag bearers also approached city party leaders for support in vote canvassing, ‘unlike some parliamentary candidates who were given party cards but expected party members to look for them.’
The head of ideology and training at NUP, Pastor Andrew Muwanguzi, was non-committal on the party’s poor showing at LC1 level.
‘Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to comment on our candidates defeated in Jinja City, but there is not much I can say at the moment,’ Mr. Muwanguzi said in a brief telephone interview.
Mr Badiru Nabugo, the elected LC1 chairperson for Mainstreet West Village in Jinja South Division, attributed his unopposed victory to community relations.
‘For me, I respect everyone in the village. This is why my opponents were discouraged by the residents themselves, who described me as a gentleman,’ he said.
The incumbent chairperson said offering free stamping services to residents also helped him win support.