SERERE, UGANDA – Campaigns for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Serere district have taken an unusual and highly symbolic turn, with "Apaada" – local catapults – emerging as a prominent feature at political rallies.
 

These hand-crafted projectile weapons are being wielded not for physical confrontation, but as a potent visual metaphor for the intense competition to unseat the incumbent.

The trend is particularly noticeable at gatherings for aspiring Serere District Woman MP, Acom Esther Lucy, widely known by her moniker, Ajokotau. Youth supporters are frequently seen crafting and displaying catapults of various sizes, signifying their intent to 'shoot down' the 'dove,' the widely recognized nickname for the incumbent, Hon. Adoa Hellen.

"We are using catapults as a sign of annoyance and a sign of shooting down ‘Ajele’," one enthusiastic supporter commented at a recent rally, using a local term for the incumbent.

A catapult, a small, hand-powered projectile weapon, typically consists of a Y-shaped frame with two tubes or strips of elastic material attached to launch small objects. In Serere, however, their purpose has been entirely recontextualized for political messaging.

The symbolic use of the 'Apaada' has also been embraced by another aspiring candidate for the same seat, Iyogil Florence. During one of her rallies, Florence declared, "It’s time to shoot down the dove using a catapult," further clarifying the metaphor by adding, "Your vote is the catapult."

What began as an isolated gesture of political discontent has now become a defining characteristic of some campaigns.

It has reportedly become a norm for supporters of Acom Esther Lucy to actively carry catapults to every rally, reinforcing the visual narrative of their campaign.
 

However, the incumbent's supporters have bashed this stategy stating that it can't shake their candidate. "Last year,  Adoa's opponents used the same strategy but we all know what happened on the election date." One supporter commented 

The widespread adoption of the catapult as a campaign symbol underscores the intensity of the political contest in Serere, transforming a simple tool into a powerful, if unconventional, emblem of electoral challenge and the desire for change.