The Jinja Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Richard Gulume Balyainho has commended the National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders and supporters in Jinja City for their enthusiasm and solidarity during the recently concluded party structure elections.
According to Gulume, the high turnout and peaceful conduct of the elections are a testament to the party’s growing popularity in the region.
In a congratulatory message to the newly elected leaders, Richard Gulume, who also serves as the Dean of RDCs in Busoga, emphasized that the party’s internal electoral processes are not about individual winners or losers but about strengthening the party’s position in the country.
“This is not about a particular group of people winning while another loses; it’s a victory for the party and Uganda because we are the ones in charge of the affairs of this country,” he said.
Gulume specifically highlighted the elections in Jinja City, where Edwin Lufafa emerged as the new NRM chairperson after a closely contested race against Councilor Falwa Kitakule.
He praised the two candidates for demonstrating the true spirit of NRM by embracing friendly competition and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
“When both Lufafa and Kitakule hugged each other and addressed the huge supporters, it showed that our party values harmony and unity above personal interests,” Gulume noted.
The RCC attributed the success of the elections to the party’s commitment to fair play, transparency, and accountability.
“…in NRM, we believe in democratic principles and the rule of law. Our electoral processes are designed to promote unity, not division,” he added.
Gulume also used the occasion to affirm the party’s confidence in its leadership, citing President Yoweri Museveni’s visionary leadership as a key factor in the party’s continued success.
“NRM, led by President Museveni, is on a firmer path than ever before. Victory in 2026 is not just a possibility; it’s a sure case,” he declared.
On conflict resolution, Gulume emphasized the importance of having mechanisms in place to address disputes and disagreements within the party. “Love, like an election, can be a conflict matter, but we have conflict resolution mechanisms manned by a committee of eminent people who can competently step in to restore harmony,” he said.
He cited former minister Hon Daudi Migereko as an example of a respected leader who can facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.
In his message to the newly elected leaders, Gulume urged them to prioritize the party’s interests and work towards building a stronger, more united NRM in Jinja City and Busoga.
“Let us continue to demonstrate our commitment to the party’s values and principles. Together, we can achieve great things for our party and our country,” he said.
The RCC’s remarks have been well-received by the NRM supporters, who expressed their enthusiasm for the party’s future prospects.
Dismissing concerns about the opposition’s influence, Richard Gulume says the so-called NUP wave that swept many parts of Central Uganda and Busoga in the past will not be a significant challenge in the upcoming elections.
“A lot has changed since 2021, and the Robert Kyagulanyi-led opposition has greatly exposed itself as a party with no clear agenda,” he stated.
Gulume also challenged the narrative that urban centers are strongholds of the opposition, calling it a fallacy propagated by uninformed and biased critics.
“Ugandans generally enjoy the peace and tranquility that was ushered in 40 years ago, and nobody even thinks of regression to the dark past,” he said, emphasizing the NRM’s role in bringing stability and progress to the country.
With Gulume’s endorsement, the party’s popularity in Jinja City and Busoga is likely to continue growing, solidifying its position as a dominant force in Ugandan politics.
As the party’s structure is now in place, attention is shifting to the upcoming electoral races. Falwa Kitakule, the outgoing NRM chairperson aspirant, has set his sights on the Jinja City mayoral race, where he will likely challenge incumbent Alton Peter Kasolo of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who is seeking re-election.
Another potential contender for the mayoral seat is Al Hajji Abdallah Nagaya, who has been gaining popularity among the city’s residents.
Meanwhile, Edwin Lufafa, now armed with the NRM chairmanship, is positioning himself to contest for the Jinja North MP seat, which is currently highly competitive with over two dozen aspirants vying for the position.
With his new role, Lufafa is well-placed to make a strong bid for the parliamentary seat, and his chances of success are being closely watched by political observers in the city.
