The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) is working to bolster its presence in the Bunyoro sub-region by actively recruiting new members.
During a regional consultative meeting at the Cultural Centre in Hoima City on Saturday, August 24, 2024, party leaders outlined their strategy for expanding support in the area.
At the meeting, which aimed to develop strategies for increasing UPC’s influence in Bunyoro, party officials highlighted past achievements in the region, such as the establishment of schools, hospitals, factories, and roads.
These developments were made during the UPC’s previous tenure before being succeeded by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government in 1986.
Bunyoro, comprising the districts of Hoima, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Kibaale, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Buliisa, and Kikuube, is now a key focus for UPC’s revitalisation efforts.
Matia Kajura, UPC’s coordinator for the sub-region, emphasised that the party’s historical track record speaks for itself.
“We don’t need to spend much time explaining what we can do because our past achievements are well known. UPC is the only party with solutions to the region’s problems. We will mobilise broadly to strengthen our position and assume leadership,” Kajura stated.
Despite having no elected officials from Local Council One to Parliamentary level in the sub-region, the UPC plans to field candidates at all levels and cover their nomination fees.
The party intends to engage in door-to-door campaigns and visit villages to regain the support it once enjoyed during the Milton Obote era, now dominated by the NRM and FDC.
Joseph Sabiti, UPC Chairperson for Hoima, acknowledged that internal party divisions have complicated mobilisation efforts but noted that Hoima has chosen unity under a single leader, Jimmy Akena.
“The country is suffering from poor leadership, characterised by corruption and irregularities in public service recruitment. We need to take power to restore order and integrity,” Sabiti added.
Ben Bakabulindi Kikonyogo, the party’s assistant secretary general, said they plan to spread UPC’s influence throughout Bunyoro using new strategies.
“We aim for a complete transformation of Bunyoro into a UPC stronghold, complementing our strong base in the Lango sub-region. Our initial focus includes updating voter registers and recruiting new members,” Kikonyogo said, expressing confidence in UPC’s ability to overcome challenges.
Addressing concerns about the party’s perception as being predominantly for older individuals, Dan Isimbwa, the national youth chairperson, highlighted efforts to engage younger voters.
“Our goal is to attract more young people, who make up 70 percent of Uganda’s population. We understand their issues, such as unemployment, and are committed to addressing these through poverty eradication initiatives and encouraging entrepreneurship and skill development,” Isimbwa noted.
The party also introduced some of its candidates for the 2026 general elections. Notably, Solomon Komurubuga, who ran as an independent in the 2021 elections, is the UPC candidate for Masindi Municipality Mayoral race, while Zechariah Ochan will contest for the Kibanda North County seat in Kiryandongo district.
