KAMPALA | Aspiring National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairman for the Central Region, Hakim Kyeswa, has declared his candidacy with a bold pledge to revive the party’s grassroots foundations, calling the internal election “a generational test of leadership and principle.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Mr. Kyeswa made a clarion call to party delegates, urging them to rally behind a vision of reform, transparency, and inclusivity. Framing his campaign as a return to the movement’s founding values, he described the current moment as one of “moral reckoning” for the NRM.
“This is not just an election—it is our generational duty,” Mr. Kyeswa wrote. “Every sunrise brings us closer to victory. Every step we take moves us toward reclaiming the NRM we believe in—a party rooted in the people, guided by its cadres, and responsive to the grassroots.”
While he refrained from naming his opponents, Mr. Kyeswa’s message implicitly criticised the current leadership for drifting from the party’s original ethos. He condemned what he termed as “the old ways” that have stifled participation and marginalised loyal members, particularly in the Central Region.
“We will not be defined by the old ways. We will not be silenced by doubt. Together, we will rebuild an NRM that listens, that delivers, and that stands strong—because its foundation is the people,” he added.
The statement has been widely interpreted as a rallying cry for party renewal, particularly among disaffected youth wings, historical cadres, and local council leaders who have long voiced concern about exclusion from the party’s central decision-making structures.
Mr. Kyeswa also addressed growing voter apathy within party ranks, warning that the NRM risks losing its political vitality unless internal democracy is revitalised.
“Your vote is your voice. Your voice is your power. Do not let anyone steal it. Do not let anyone silence it,” he urged delegates.
Observers say the race for NRM Vice Chairperson for Central Region is shaping up to be a litmus test for the party’s internal cohesion and its ability to re-engage with its base ahead of the 2026 general elections. The Central Region, once a bastion of NRM strength, has seen growing electoral pressure in recent years.
Sources within the party say Mr. Kyeswa’s message has begun resonating with influential blocs, including youth mobilisation teams and veteran party members who feel disillusioned by the perceived centralisation of power.
While the race is expected to attract seasoned politicians, Mr. Kyeswa is presenting himself as the face of generational transition, promising a new style of leadership grounded in openness, accessibility, and principled service.
“The time is now. The mission is clear. Let us move forward—united, bold, and unstoppable,” he concluded.
As campaigns heat up, all eyes remain on how candidates will navigate internal tensions and whether Mr. Kyeswa’s message of reform will translate into broad delegate support.
