MP Alleges Central Voters Regret Choosing NUP MPs in 2021 Based on the Umbrella Symbol, Not Quality

On NBS Barometer, political leaders discussed the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s support in Central Uganda, concerns about corruption, and governance issues. The conversation reflected different views on the reasons behind NRM’s losses in the region and how government policies are affecting citizens.

NRM's Rogers Mulindwa acknowledged that internal conflicts contributed to the party’s poor performance in Buganda during the last election. He said the party lost over 15 constituencies due to disagreements and poor coordination. However, he rejected claims that NRM lacks support in Central Uganda.

“It is not true that NRM doesn’t have support in Central Uganda. We have constituencies where NRM has scored 100%,” Mulindwa said.

Hon. Evans Kanyike criticised the government for corruption and regional imbalances in job opportunities. Citing the Equal Opportunities report, he claimed that more than 60% of jobs were given to people from one region.

“There is a lot of corruption in the NRM government. According to the Equal Opportunities report, over 60% of jobs in the country are taken by people from one side,” Kanyike said.

He also accused the government of neglecting Central Uganda, despite the region’s past support for President Museveni during his bush war days.

“When President Museveni was going to the bush, the people in the West didn’t support him. Here in Central, he was given all the support he needed, but people remain in poverty,” Kanyike said.

Hon. Linos Ngompek commented on voting patterns in Central Uganda. He suggested that many people voted emotionally for opposition candidates under the National Unity Platform (NUP), focusing more on the party symbol than the candidates' qualifications.

“In the last election, people in Central Uganda voted for MPs simply because of the umbrella symbol, but they have since realised that many of these MPs lack quality,” Ngompek said.

FDC’s Harold Kaija criticised the Parish Development Model (PDM), arguing that giving people cash without longterm plans would not reduce poverty. He proposed that the money be invested in banks to provide accessible development loans.

“No country has ever escaped poverty by simply giving people money. Instead, that money being given in PDM should be invested in banks so that people can access it as loans for development,” Kaija said.

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