Opinion: How Kampe’s Dirty Politics & Attack Against Toyota, Kirunda Is Strengthening Mercy’s Support

By Mugumya Charles| Political Analyst 

The recent article alleging interference by Nuwagira Kaguta, popularly known as Toyota, Akandwanaho Emma, and Farouk Kirunda in the NRM youth elections is nothing more than a poorly scripted piece of propaganda. This smear campaign—engineered by allegedly Diana Kampe and her ally Nakku—seeks to tarnish the reputations of respected party leaders through baseless accusations and outright blackmail. One cannot attempt to extort the government and the NRM, then expect to walk away unchallenged.

By targeting Toyota, a popular leader with an established base in the NRM, Kampe and her allies clearly sought cheap publicity to revive their faltering campaign. Instead, their tactics have spectacularly backfired. According to a recent opinion poll, rival candidate Mercy Kanyesigye now commands nearly 80% support among NRM youth. Kampe’s divisive strategies have pushed many delegates away from her camp.

A youth delegate from Fort Portal Northern Division (name withheld) noted: “The ineptitude of Diana and Nakku has left me with no choice but to shift my support to Mercy Kanyesigye’s camp. Their baseless accusations and divisive tactics show they lack the vision we need.” Similarly, a delegate from Buvuma remarked: “I will now shift my support from Diana to Mercy since she has started attacking our NRM leaders and elders. I’ve discovered they have other personal, evil motives.”

Such reckless behavior does not just target individuals—it undermines the unity of NRM youth at a time when solidarity is critical.

Baseless Claims, No Evidence

Kampe’s allegations of bribery and intimidation at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds are laughable at best. The venue is fully equipped with surveillance cameras, yet no evidence has been produced to substantiate these claims. Even the rumor that Emma was arrested for distributing money collapsed under scrutiny; no such incident occurred.

Equally absurd are claims of a “secret meeting” where Toyota and Emma allegedly bought votes for UGX 5 million each. This is logistically impossible and financially unrealistic for a youth election. Such fantasies reflect nothing but desperation from a camp anticipating defeat.

A Pattern of Blackmail

This is not the first time Kampe and Nakku have attempted to blackmail senior leaders. They previously targeted Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, with similar unfounded claims—only to be dismissed by his no-nonsense leadership. Instead of learning from that embarrassment, they have doubled down on divisive tactics that erode their credibility.

True leadership is earned through vision, persuasion, and service—not through blackmail and reckless mudslinging.

Attacks on NRM Cadres

The attacks on Farouk Kirunda, Deputy Press Secretary to the President, are particularly outrageous. Kirunda’s demanding role leaves him no time to meddle in youth elections. Allegations that he used RDCs to threaten delegates are baseless—RDCs are fully engaged in monitoring critical government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. Dragging such patriotic cadres into the mud is both shallow and divisive.

Toyota’s contributions to his community are also conveniently ignored when they do not fit Kampe’s narrative. His restraint in the face of constant provocation has been admirable, but silence can allow detractors to misuse his name. At this point, Toyota must speak up—not just to defend his reputation, but also to safeguard the values of the NRM.

The Way Forward

Kampe’s reckless attacks on the NRM leadership betray the party’s values and weaken the democratic process. They reveal ulterior motives that have no place in principled leadership. The NRM youth elections should not be platforms for personal vendettas or fabricated conspiracies; they should empower leaders of vision, integrity, and unity.

Mercy Kanyesigye has emerged as that candidate. Her message of inclusivity and purpose continues to attract support, while Kampe’s smear campaign collapses under the weight of its own lies.

To Diana Kampe, Nakku, and their allies: the time for blackmail is over. Stop weaponizing propaganda and start engaging the youth with substance. The NRM deserves leaders who can unite and build—not divide and destroy.

As the proverb goes, “You cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do.” The truth always prevails, and propaganda—like a house of cards—cannot stand.

The NRM youth must now rise above this nonsense, reject divisive politics, and rally behind leaders who embody vision, service, and unity.

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