NEWS EDITOR POLITICAL DESK
THE campaign launched recently by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) dubbed Buganda for NRM in 2026 elections, has started worrying opposition political parties especially National Unity Platform (NUP). Leaders are having sleepless nights!
In Makindye West, where for years, opposition political parties had not faced real resistance in past elections, this time, NRM has unveiled a competent aspirant in the names of Doreen Keita, who once served as Deputy RCC Makindye Division!
MP MATERIAL: Doreen Keita for Makindye West MP
Commonly known as Maama Makindye, Ms. Keita has already vowed to retire Allan Ssewanyana from Makindye West Constituency politics and warned whoever plans to contest for Makindye West MP seat, not to waste his or her money!
Whereas the incumbent, NUP’s Allan Ssewanyana managed to sail through in 2021, Keita’s camp says, 2026 will be a different story! All is set for their candidate to comb ghetto and slum areas of Makindye, afterall she was the deputy RCC of the area and perfectly knows all corners like in Luwafu, Katwe and Nsambya, the three are densely populated areas in the constituency.
We are told, NRM party is now busy engaging the youths in these slum areas, trying to solve the economic challenges, they are facing. Never be shocked if youth massively vote for NRM in 2026 Geblneral elections.
Over the Easter weekend, Ms. Doreen Keita, spent it in meetings with the ghetto youths, strategizing on how to reach out to other youth so that, no vote goes to waste! Among youth she met were those subscribing to NUP and other opposition political parties. She also met youths from the Patriotic League of Uganda, a pressure group led President Museveni’s son, by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces.
PHOTO: Hon. Doreen Keita, with a group of youth over Easter Weekend
For NUP youths, Keita met at Sharing Hall Nsambya, they expressed their disappointment with some of their party leaders, whom they worked so hard in 2021 General elections, to help capture the elective positions. However, they have been forgotten.
“We spent sleepless nights, soliciting votes for the likes of Allan Ssewanyana and other opposition political leaders. But immediately, they took offices, we were abandoned. They have not lobbied for us, and our voice isnt heard in Parliament. Better to go with NRM so that we tap on the poverty eradication programs brought by President Museveni’s government.” said a noe Musa Kironde, a youth, residing in Nsambya.
These youth want to be connected to get startup capital so that they can start small businesses, asking Ms. Keita to get them Youth Livelihood Funds.
In her response, Ms. Keita, said its good for the youth, now to realise that opposition leaders used and later dump them. “It’s very painful to see people you helped to get offices, abandoned you. You fought so hard, to put them in offices but they have not considered you or involved you, in any economic activity. I will be your voice, i will lobby for funds and end unehployment.” Keita added.
She however assured them that she would bridge the gap, having engaged with many of them as former deputy RCC. She will try to solve some of the challenges they are facing. “You know very well, that I am approachable. I have moved with some of you, so if we work as a team, we shall solve some of the problems, you are facing,” Keita told the youth.
WHY NUP MUST PANIC
The strategy by NRM party to camp in the slums of Makindye West constituency, Hon. Sewanyana and other aspirants like Farouk Ntege are already panicking.
Infact at a certain function, Ntege was heard saying, Keita and other NRM leaders are doing a lot to convince the poor and the youths, who are unemployed join the ruling party. “We are aware of what NRM leaders are doing. Better we wake up and take them or we are finished,” Ntege said.
For Sewanyana, he said some of his party supporters are in bed with Keita to decampaign him. For startes, Ssewanyana is in very bad books of his party and chances are high that he won’t be given the NUP Party card. However, this won’t stop him.from contesting. He is likely to come as an independent candidate. NUP is shopping for either Mulyanyama, Zahara Luyirika or David Musiri. The fight for NUP Party ticket, analysts say, will bring a real fight within NUP and this will be of an added advantage to the NRM’s Keita!
Keita however told opposition politicians, that they are living in denial. Basing on the research, conducted, Keita said NUP can’t win Makindye division again. “The locals are tired of NUP leaders. They are only good at talking and abusing leaders. The locals are yearning for service delivery. We are coming to be a voice for Makindye West Constituency.” Said Ms. Keita.
WE WILL VOTE NRM: NUP Youth waiting to meet Hon. Doreen Keita
Last month, in the neighbouring constituency, Makindye East, voters in Ggaba, chased away their legislator Derrick Nyeko, accusing him of abandoning them only to return because elections are near.
For PLU, Keita appreciated them for the work they are doing for the NRM party and Government, adding that there is need to work as one family, so that they don’t miss the bigger picture. “As NRM Party, we have something to show than other parties. They work hard to fail us but they won’t manage. We have done a lot for this country and achieved a lot,” said Keita, now serving as the RDC Mpigi district.
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