There has been limited interest in observing the 40 years since National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters, led by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, captured power in some of the areas regarded as the NRM cradle lands or Mecca.
In Luwero District, the celebrations attracted limited attention, with residents expressing mixed reactions about the National Resistance Movement’s contribution to the area. Luwero—then comprising Nakaseke, Nakasongola, and present-day Luwero—was the epicentre of the NRA liberation war.
In 1981, residents of Luwero welcomed Museveni and offered support, including manpower, to fight the then government of Milton Obote, a conflict that left hundreds of people dead. The area continued to support Museveni even after he captured power and in subsequent elections until 2021, when voters shifted allegiance to opposition candidates.
Between the 2021 and 2026 general elections, the NRM government has struggled—without success—to regain political support in Luwero District. In the 2026 presidential election, National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi maintained his lead in the district after garnering 78,939 votes (60.2 percent), while President Museveni obtained 48,452 votes (36.8 percent).
NUP also retained all four opposition Members of Parliament and the LC5 chairperson seat, securing 17 councillor positions out of the 32 available seats. The incumbent LC5 Chairperson, Erastus Kibirango, said the election results sent a clear message that residents had lost trust in the NRM government due to its failure to deliver services to the district.
Kibirango explained that although President Museveni made several pledges aimed at transforming Luwero, many remain unfulfilled. He noted that despite the district’s significant contribution to the NRA war, it continues to lag in development. He added that while some pledges have been partially fulfilled in the past four years—such as the ongoing construction of Luwero Hospital and the district headquarters—they remain insufficient compared to the sacrifices made by the area during the liberation struggle.
Kibirango further observed that the Luwero–Rwenzori Triangle Ministry failed to bring about meaningful change after its mandate was expanded to cover 42 districts, including areas that were not as severely affected by the war as Luwero.
He said the district is still waiting for the fulfillment of key pledges, including the establishment of a fruit processing plant, the upgrading of major roads, and the introduction of another special programme to improve residents’ livelihoods.
By Newsroom
26th Jan 2026
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