![\"\"](\"https:\/\/smlnews.ug\/Luganda\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/PDM-tour-300x200.jpg\")
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A political storm is brewing as opposition leaders accuse President Yoweri Museveni of using government programs as a front for early voter mobilization, while he continues his nationwide tours, to monitor development projects.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the opposition has ramped up its own public engagements, raising eyebrows over whether they are simply mirroring the President\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n
For months now, the political terrain has been rife with tension, with opposition figures decrying what they call “state-sponsored campaigning in disguise.” President Museveni, through initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, has been making high-profile visits to various districts, holding large public gatherings, meeting local leaders, and even distributing government funds to select groups.<\/p>\n
Butambala District MP Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the President\u2019s actions, arguing that these tours are nothing more than an early campaign dressed as official government work.<\/p>\n
“He has a special poverty campaign tour around the country. He is going to every district, every village, mobilizing for 2026 while the opposition is restricted. The playing field is simply not level,” Kivumbi said.<\/p>\n
As if in response to these accusations, opposition leaders have become increasingly visible at high-profile events, including Thanksgiving ceremonies, funerals, and prayer gatherings\u2014events that often transform into political rallies. The shift in strategy has led observers to question whether opposition figures are now taking a leaf from Museveni\u2019s book.<\/p>\n
Is the Opposition Following Museveni\u2019s Playbook?<\/strong><\/p>\n Busongora North MP Hon Sowedi Kitanywa a staunch supporter of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), scoffed at the opposition\u2019s complaints, likening politics to farming.<\/p>\n “Those who prepare their fields early will always get the best harvest. Opposition leaders waiting for the official campaign period set by the Electoral Commission will be at a disadvantage,” he remarked.<\/p>\n Political analyst Henry Muguzi acknowledged that early mobilization is essential for political success, but pointed out a critical flaw in Uganda\u2019s electoral system.<\/p>\n “Early engagement is necessary for voter awareness and even makes the Electoral Commission\u2019s job easier. However, the problem arises when one side has full access to mobilization while the other is restricted by security agencies. The playing field is clearly not level,” Muguzi said.<\/p>\n Opposition figures argue that state security agencies often suppress their political activities while allowing the incumbent free rein. “We are seeing one set of politicians given all the time and space to campaign under the guise of government programs, while others are blocked at every turn. How is this fair?” questioned Dr. John Paul Kasujja, a political commentator.<\/p>\n Kasujja urged the opposition to be more strategic, recommending that they organize community outreach events under different banners while still mobilizing their supporters.<\/p>\n Criticism has also been directed at the Electoral Commission, with accusations of bias in favor of the incumbent. Analysts argue that the current system disadvantages presidential candidates while granting local leaders more time to mobilize.<\/p>\n With months still to go before the official campaign period, the battle lines are already drawn, and both sides are keenly aware that the race for 2026 has begun in earnest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A political storm is brewing as opposition leaders accuse President Yoweri Museveni of using government programs as a front for early voter mobilization, while he continues his nationwide tours, to monitor development projects. At the same time, the opposition has ramped up its own public engagements, raising eyebrows over whether they are simply mirroring the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"yoast_head":"\n