By Our Reporter
In a powerful show of political unity and ideological renewal, ten Ugandan sub-regions—Greater Arua, Greater Nebbi, Karamoja, Tooro, Rwenzori, Bunyoro, Teso, Bugisu, Elgon/Sebei, and Busoga—have officially endorsed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the 2026 presidential election and Phillip Kakuru, Senior Presidential Advisor on Trade and Investment, for the position of NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs League.
This wave of support reflects a growing shift within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), as party delegates and grassroots leaders rally behind individuals who prioritize vision, values, and ideology over transactional politics.
Kakuru’s campaign—driven by the NRM’s foundational commitment to economic liberation through entrepreneurship—has ignited a groundswell of enthusiasm across Uganda’s diverse regions. Rejecting cash-based campaigns, Kakuru is winning support by speaking to the hearts of entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens. “Entrepreneurship isn’t about flashing cash,” he told delegates in Bunyoro. “It’s about creating jobs, solving problems, and uplifting communities. Our power lies in ideas—not in envelopes.”
His message has resonated deeply with the party’s base, especially in regions fatigued by patronage and political coercion. In Bugisu, a youth leader captured the prevailing mood: “This is no longer a game of wallets; it’s a war for values. We’re tired of being bought. We want to build Uganda.” In Teso, Patrick Osire, National Vice Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs League and Kumi District Chair, stated, “With Kakuru, Teso will finally have a voice in the national conversation about economic transformation.”
In Karamoja, Jewitt James Locha, the sub-region’s Entrepreneurs League Coordinator, praised Kakuru’s clarity: “He didn’t come with money—he came with a message that understands our pain as taxpayers and entrepreneurs.” In West Nile, a regional coordinator described the campaign as “a revolution in how we engage with politics,” while in Nebbi, delegate Okumlama Dan encouraged fellow citizens to embrace innovation: “Let’s use our voice, our brains, and creativity to transform our lives.”
Support for Kakuru’s vision has also come from government actors. Afende Collins Dramani, Assistant RDC, commended Kakuru’s grassroots impact, highlighting a UGX 100 million investment into a SACCO to support small-scale entrepreneurs—an initiative that reflects his commitment to sustainable economic empowerment.
Kakuru’s rise within the party has caught the attention of political analysts as well. Elias Tumwebaze, a Kampala-based analyst, described him as “the missing link between the NRM’s historic mission and its future aspirations.” He added, “His emphasis on poverty alleviation, inclusive innovation, and economic empowerment resonates with a generation seeking purpose over patronage.”
Kakuru’s campaign has increasingly become a referendum on the direction of the NRM. Delegates see in him not just a candidate, but a movement—a return to the party’s ideological roots of service, sacrifice, and social transformation. A delegate from Karamoja perhaps said it best: “We don’t need bribes to love our country or our party. Kakuru represents the NRM that President Museveni built—one rooted in service and transformation.”
A recent survey by a local think tank (pending publication) suggests Museveni and Kakuru hold favorability ratings exceeding 70% in the ten endorsing regions—well ahead of their rivals. While independent verification is awaited, the trend reflects strong grassroots momentum for both candidates.
With the 2026 elections drawing nearer, the joint endorsement of Museveni and Kakuru is more than symbolic—it signals a reinvigorated political direction. Delegates across the country are rallying behind leadership that values substance over spectacle, integrity over inducement, and transformation over tradition. As the countdown to 2026 continues, one message is clear: the ideological heartbeat of the NRM is finding new strength in the voices of those who refuse to be bought—and insist instead on building.