The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Director of Communication and Publicity, Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, has called on voters in Kalangala District to support the party’s candidate, Idah Nabayiga, in the forthcoming Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Dombo made the remarks during a mobilisation drive on Buggala Island, where he engaged residents at Kaazi-Malanga Landing Site in Bujumba Sub-county as the party intensifies campaigns ahead of the June 24, 2026 by-election.
Addressing residents, Dombo thanked the people of Kalangala for what he described as their continued support for the NRM and said the party was seeking to maintain its strong presence in the district.
“We are here looking for votes for the NRM flag bearer. We are very happy about the assurances given by the people because, in the general elections, they voted for the NRM,” Dombo said.
He said the support shown by local leaders and party structures reflected unity within the NRM and commitment to addressing challenges affecting residents.
During the engagement, residents raised concerns about challenges in the fishing sector, access to clean water, and the conduct of some local leaders.
Dombo said the party would continue engaging communities and relevant authorities to find solutions to the issues raised.
“We shall come back here and work together with them in order to improve how they relate and determine what government should do about the fishing sector,” he said.
Dombo also revisited his earlier opposition to the introduction of oil palm growing in Kalangala, saying he had initially opposed the project after being influenced by concerns from environmental critics.
He said that while serving in Parliament, he was persuaded by former Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi that establishing oil palm plantations could harm the environment and potentially turn the island district into a desert.
“If President Museveni comes to Ssese, I will apologise to him. On our behalf, led by Mr Lukyamuzi, we are going to apologise to the President for fighting his initiative of palm oil growing,” Dombo said.
He said the concerns raised at the time had not come to pass and argued that oil palm growing had contributed to improved livelihoods among residents.
“Since the palm oil came, haven’t lives improved?” he asked.
Call for NRM support
As campaigns continue, Dombo urged voters to support NRM candidates, arguing that leaders from the ruling party would be better positioned to lobby for government programmes.
“In the General Elections, NRM already got a landslide victory, so why send an opposition MP? To do what there?” he asked.
Using a transport analogy, Dombo encouraged voters to remain united behind the party.
“I want to request you that we are entering a bus whose driver is NRM; let’s get him yellow passengers and conductors,” he said.
He also appealed to NRM supporters to welcome individuals returning from opposition parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), and work with them.
“Treat those who are returning from NUP as family members. Don’t insult them. Work with them to ensure that they bring us more converts,” Dombo said.
The NRM mobilisation team also visited other areas, including Dajje and Buyiri parishes, as the party seeks to consolidate support ahead of the Kalangala Woman MP by-election.
