What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

A move by the long-serving Namutumba District National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson, Hajji Siraje Gusongweire, to leave party politics has sparked fear among members, with concerns that the Opposition may reap big from the decision.

Mr Gusongweire’s political career started in 2007 as LC3 chairperson of Ivukula sub-county, then as district councillor representing Ivukula, before being elected Namutumba District NRM Chairperson in 2015.

However, he has expressed interest in dislodging the State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Persis Namuganza, from the Bukono constituency parliamentary seat in 2026, saying Namutumba District, particularly Bukono constituency, lacks proper service delivery.

“Our party structures are going to start very soon, and what I want to tell NRM members in the district, is to please look for someone else. I will be available for guidance, but not going to mobilise for the party in the whole district, but to do it at constituency level,” he said on Sunday.

In 2021, Mr Museveni won in only three of the eleven districts in Busoga sub-region, including Buyende, Kaliro, and Namutumba (54 per cent), and lost to National Unity Platform (NUP) party flagbearer, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu in Kamuli, Luuka, Iganga, Jinja, Bugweri, Bugiri, Namayingo, and Mayuge districts.

• Read More