By Our Reporter

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced the suspension of his scheduled campaign rallies in the Lango Sub-region, citing the need to attend to urgent state duties. The rallies, originally planned for Monday, October 6, 2025, in the districts of Kole and Lira, were part of his nationwide campaign for the 2026 general elections.

In a letter dated October 4, 2025, and signed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Richard Todwong, the party informed district and city chairpersons in Kole, Lira, and Lira City of the change in plans. The letter, titled Adjustment of the Presidential Campaign Dates in Kole, Lira/Lira City, explained that the rallies had to be postponed due to critical national responsibilities that the President must address on the same date.

The letter read: “This is to notify you that the date for the Presidential Campaign Rallies that had been scheduled to take place on Monday, October 6th, 2025, in Kole and Lira/Lira City has been adjusted. This is due to H.E. the President’s need to attend to critical state duties on the set day. A new date shall be communicated to you soon. Please inform the general public in your respective districts accordingly.”

The announcement has raised some concerns among local supporters who had been eagerly anticipating the President’s visit. In the days leading up to the event, preparations had been underway, with local NRM leaders organizing mobilization efforts and logistics to ensure large turnout at the rallies. The abrupt postponement has left many disappointed, but there is still hope that the events will be rescheduled in the near future.

Lango Sub-region, encompassing the districts of Kole, Lira, and Lira City, has historically been a competitive area in Uganda’s national politics. In recent years, opposition parties, particularly the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the Democratic Party (DP), have maintained significant support, particularly in urban areas like Lira City. For the NRM, the rallies in this region were seen as a critical opportunity to solidify the party’s presence and engage with grassroots supporters ahead of the 2026 elections.

Political analysts had suggested that Museveni’s visit to the area would be a crucial moment to reaffirm the NRM’s strength and reinforce its position in a region where opposition parties have consistently gained traction.

Despite the setback, NRM leaders in the Lango Sub-region have urged patience among the supporters. One district chairperson emphasized that the President’s national duties must come first, stating, “The President’s duties to the nation take precedence. We are confident he will return to Lango as soon as his schedule allows.”

The suspension of the rallies marks the first major adjustment to Museveni’s campaign calendar, underscoring the challenge of balancing state responsibilities with electoral campaigning. As the 2026 elections draw closer, Museveni’s ability to juggle these competing priorities will likely be a key factor in his efforts to secure continued support across the country.

While the delay in the Lango rallies has caused some disappointment, it also highlights the unpredictability of political campaigns, particularly as candidates navigate the demands of governing while preparing for elections. As Ugandans await further updates, many in Lango remain hopeful that the President will soon return to engage with them directly, and that the postponed rallies will be rescheduled without further disruptions.