By KT Reporter
Haji Moses Kigongo. the 1st national vice chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has urged supporters to maintain peace throughout the electoral process, noting that such virtues promote harmonious living. Speaking to congregants during President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign rally at Namayingo Primary School in Namayingo District on Wednesday, Kigongo said there was no need to fight over election-related activities.
He emphasized that while election cycles have timeframes, supporters will continue living together as neighbors, making peaceful coexistence essential. Kigongo encouraged NRM supporters to love one another without restraint, arguing that this form of friendship builds sustainable togetherness for any society. He also urged party mobilizers to solicit votes peacefully from opponents, stressing that respectful campaigning is more sustainable and rewarding than forceful means, which risk dividing communities.
Bettina Nabwire noted that early in the campaign, cases of arrivalism among leaders were creating tension in communities. She added that some candidates’ campaigners were secretly intoxicating youthful supporters to incite attacks on opponents, including ambush beatings, degrading insults, and other inhumane actions.
Nabwire, however, said that dialogue meetings between candidates, security teams, and the public have reduced such incidents, promoting mutual respect among all parties. Evelyn Namono added that early campaign days were marked by blackmail and blasphemous stories that fueled anger among residents, often leading to fistfights.
She attributed these conflicts to knowledge gaps, with voters unaware of proper electoral conduct. Namono noted that district-level party leaders have since engaged candidates on the importance of peace, shifting the trajectory from violence to tolerance.
Some NRM candidates in Namayingo District have publicly affirmed prioritizing unity over personal ego. Hope Mukisa, the party’s candidate for the District Woman MP seat, said that the party’s emphasis on peace dominates campaign meetings, fostering harmonious living and eliminating violence. Raymond Mukisa, the district NRM chairperson, echoed this, noting that all age groups have embraced the message of peace.
Mukisa acknowledged that the NRM primaries brought divisions within the party, creating political wrangles. He set up a harmonization committee to encourage peaceful campaigning for the district’s good. He concluded that this unity will keep party members stronger together and enable them to focus on the district’s development after the electoral process.
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