A section of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) top leadership has rallied people in Bunyoro to join the party, asserting that UPC has solutions to the region's problems.
Noting that while much effort has been concentrated in the Lango sub-region, they are now shifting strategies to garner grassroots support across all regions of Uganda.
Led by Ben Bakabulindi Kigongo, the UPC Deputy Secretary-General, the party's strategy in Bunyoro involves moving from village to village and house to house to convince people of the merits of UPC, emphasizing its legacy during the Obote era.
Currently, the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party has no elected leaders from the local council level to members of parliament in the Bunyoro sub-region.
Even the 15 candidates who attempted to run in the 2021 general elections at the local council level failed to make it past the first round.
Most elective positions in Bunyoro were won by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), with a few exceptions such as Joab Businge (FDC) winning the Masindi Municipality MP seat, Asinansi Nyakato (FDC) winning the Hoima City Woman MP seat, and Patrick Isingoma (Independent but FDC-leaning).
As the clock ticks towards the 2026 general elections, the Uganda People's Congress party has met with Bunyoro UPC district leaders in Hoima to strategize on how best to win support in the region.
Speaking to the media shortly after their closed-door engagement, Ben Bakabulindi Kigongo, the party's Deputy Secretary-General, said that while Bunyoro has been known for its support of the NRM, it was once a stronghold for UPC, and they are now working to reclaim that territory.
Bakabulindi stated that they will use village-to-village and house-to-house strategies to convince the people of Bunyoro why they should associate with UPC--a party that has a proven legacy with hospitals like Kagadi and Kiryandongo, roads in the North, and schools that still exist.
"When we come here, we are not like a party that is just making promises; our fruits still exist. We only need to do better in terms of sensitizing and getting to the grassroots to let people believe and trust in us once again," Bakabulindi said.
He acknowledged that the party had previously focused its efforts in Lango, but they are now changing their approach and urging people across the country to embrace UPC, which he says has solutions to Uganda's problems such as fighting corruption, improving the health sector, and enhancing education.
He also reiterated their commitment to field a candidate for every elective position, from Local Council One to the presidency.
Dan Isimbwa, the UPC National Youth Chairperson, refuted the claim that UPC is a regional party or one for the older generation, stating that they are on a mission to recruit more young people into the party.
He emphasized messages of integrity and hard work, noting that they want young people to focus not just on politics but on hard work.
Matia Kajura, the UPC Bunyoro region coordinator, assured those who stand for any councilor elective post in Bunyoro that he will cover their nomination fees.
He encouraged those intending to run on the party ticket to brand themselves better.
"The media is always available. Be that person who attracts attention wherever you go, whether at weddings, burials, or other gatherings. When people see that you have value, we will have many more people eager to join the party. One by one, we will get the bigger numbers we aspire to achieve," Kajura said.
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Kajura also urged the top leadership to consider establishing a leadership training center, particularly for grooming young people in UPC's values and the party's principles.
"The biggest problem we have in the country is a leadership crisis. People stand for certain positions, but when you look at their communication and response to critics, you realize there is a gap. My thinking is that as UPC, we need a leadership academy to mentor our own people so they can stand and cause positive change in society, embracing values of integrity, being corruption-free, respect for others, leadership skills, and other key factors," he added.
