By Hakim Kyeswa
Head of Digital Media, Office of the National Chairman, NRM
The recently concluded youth council elections have delivered a powerful message across Uganda’s political landscape: the National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains the unrivaled choice of the country’s young generation. With a commanding 81% victory at the village level, the elections have not only solidified NRM’s grassroots dominance but also exposed the crumbling appeal of the National Unity Platform (NUP), casting serious doubts on its ability to replicate the 2021 momentum in the 2026 general elections.
Positioning itself as the voice of Uganda’s youth, NUP had hoped to ride the wave of youthful energy once again. Instead, the party suffered a humiliating defeat, securing less than 20% of the vote. Once hailed as a symbol of generational change, NUP now finds itself grappling with internal disillusionment and external rejection. The youthful base that once rallied behind red berets and protest slogans now seems disenchanted, citing betrayal and abandonment.
Many young people who put their lives on the line for the opposition during and after the 2021 elections now find themselves forgotten—some languishing in prison, others politically sidelined. Meanwhile, the NRM has moved with purpose, investing in tangible solutions to youth concerns and positioning itself as the party that delivers, not just promises.
At the heart of NRM’s renewed youth appeal are economic empowerment programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM). Designed to tackle poverty and unemployment head-on, initiatives like PDM are gaining traction in rural and urban areas alike. These programs have given youth a reason to believe in government structures again—ushering in a sense of agency and hope where there was once anger and despair.
By focusing on real-world impact rather than political showmanship, the NRM is winning hearts and minds where it matters most—on the ground, in the homes and communities of everyday Ugandans.
Perhaps the most astonishing outcome of the elections is the NRM’s performance in areas previously thought to be impenetrable opposition strongholds. In Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso, NRM won nearly 90% of the vote, a staggering reversal of fortunes. These districts, once symbolic of the NUP’s rise, now stand as monuments to the party’s fading influence.
If these early indicators hold, the 2026 elections may not just be a contest—it may be a coronation.
The Post-2021 Reckoning
The 2021 elections served as a wake-up call for the NRM, revealing pockets of disenchantment and opening a window for the opposition. But instead of collapsing under pressure, the ruling party recalibrated—strategically engaging youth, enhancing service delivery, and reshaping public perception.
On the other hand, NUP has faltered. Without a coherent post-2021 plan, it has failed to build sustainable structures or offer policy alternatives that resonate. The youth council elections underscore this strategic vacuum and reveal the opposition’s 2021 surge as a fleeting protest rather than a lasting movement.
The NRM’s challenge now is to maintain and build upon this momentum. Continued investment in youth programs, effective communication, and a relentless focus on grassroots mobilization will be critical. The message from Uganda’s villages is loud and unmistakable: the youth have chosen development over disruption, programs over protest, and NRM over NUP.
If this trend continues, the writing is already on the wall—the 2026 general elections are the NRM’s to win.
For inquiries or feedback, contact the author at:
📧 hakimkim255@gmail.com
📞 0781009000