In the verdant sugarcane fields of Luuka District, Annet Nabirye and Hajj Faruk Kirunda have sparked a political revolution, crafting a dynamic mobilisation drive that toppled a seasoned rival and offers a blueprint for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to reclaim its spark in Buganda and Busoga ahead of the 2026 elections.
Nabirye’s stunning defeat of former Minister Esther Mbayo in the NRM primaries on July 17, 2025, for Luuka’s Woman MP seat demonstrates how grassroots engagement, emotional storytelling, and strategic communication can counter opposition sentiments and revitalize NRM’s influence in these critical regions.
Esther Mbayo, a two-term MP and former Minister for the Presidency, appeared untouchable after returning unopposed in 2021. Yet, Nabirye, a political newcomer, dismantled her dominance. This victory was no fluke but a masterstroke guided by Faruk Kirunda, Deputy Presidential Press Secretary and a Jinja native with deep Luuka roots. The tragic loss of Kirunda’s wife, Gladys Aliyinza, in a 2024 car accident became a pivotal moment. Aliyinza, an NRM-leaning independent in 2021, had inspired Luuka’s voters. Nabirye, her sister, inherited this legacy, weaving a narrative of continuity that resonated with women and farmers. Kirunda’s mentorship and endorsement amplified her appeal, positioning her as the heir to Aliyinza’s vision, outshining Mbayo’s wealth and experience.
Kirunda’s playbook blends grassroots action with modern campaign tactics. Since December 2024, Nabirye delivered tangible results: rehabilitating community roads, installing solar lights in trading centers, and providing WiFi to schools like Kiyunga S.S. and Busiiro S.S. Her donation of 40,000 kilograms of maize seeds across 310 villages and sports uniforms for youth solidified her image as a leader of action. Mbayo’s absence at Aliyinza’s funeral, seen as a lack of empathy, further distanced voters.
Nabirye’s vibrant rallies and village meetings earned her the title “Luuka’s rising star,” with a June 2025 poll showing her leading across sub-counties. Her May 2025 win as Luuka’s NRM Women League Chairperson against Mbayo’s ally and recent flag-bearer victory underscored her grassroots dominance.
Luuka’s political significance is profound. In 2021, Bobi Wine’s arrest in Luuka triggered protests that shifted voter sentiments in Busoga and Buganda, challenging NRM’s grip. Nabirye’s mobilisation drive, backed by Kirunda’s strategic promotion of government programs, offers a counter-strategy. Veteran journalist and Deputy RDC Kassanda, Mike Ssegawa, calls Luuka’s turnaround a “treasure” for reversing NRM’s struggles. Kirunda’s ability to leverage his role to highlight NRM’s achievements has made Luuka a model for winning hearts and minds.This mobilisation drive is a scalable playbook. Hajji Kakande, Secretary to the President’s Office, emphasizes unity and service delivery for a Museveni landslide in Busoga, a region with 41 NRM MPs but weak 2021 presidential votes. Nabirye’s focus on youth, women, and farmers, combined with Kirunda’s communication prowess, provides a formula: deliver visible projects, engage voters directly, and harness emotional narratives. Districts like Iganga, Jinja, Mukono, and Wakiso, where opposition sentiments thrive, are ripe for this approach. With less than five months to 2026, NRM must swiftly adopt Nabirye’s Luuka mobilisation drive, scaling Kirunda’s strategies to reignite its fire in Buganda and Busoga, securing a stronger hold on Uganda’s political future.
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