Zubair Galiwango, a National Council of Sports official and resident of Nakaloke in Mbale Northern City Division, has formally announced his candidacy for the position of NRM Chairman for Mbale City.
Speaking at a press conference held at his home on Sunday, Galiwango pledged to end the controversial practice of “selling party flags” to candidates, and promised transparent, inclusive leadership.
“I have come to serve,” he said. “No more selling of party flags to mediocre candidates who buy them with money and then struggle in the general elections. This will help reduce corruption and nepotism within the Mbale NRM office.”
Galiwango positioned himself as the leader capable of reviving and strengthening the party’s local structures, citing both his political and sporting track records. He previously served as LCIII Chairperson of Nakaloke Sub- County and Town Council, where he led initiatives to secure land for a dumping site and slaughter slab. In the sports arena, he managed Mbale Heroes FC during their Kakungulu Cup triumph.
He has also held several leadership roles within the NRM, including General Secretary and later District Chairman for Mbale.
“During my tenure, we delivered results. Since I left office, the trend has changed,” he noted.
Galiwango criticized the current state of the party in Mbale, attributing its dwindling support to poor leadership. Referencing the 2021 presidential election, he pointed out that President Yoweri Museveni received only 32 percent of the vote in Mbale City—despite major government investments like road upgrades and a new central market.
“The party is struggling because of self-centered leaders who aren’t working as a team to grow NRM in Mbale,” he said.
He pledged to bring greater transparency to the party’s internal processes and ensure fairness in primary elections.
“Someone campaigns, spends a lot of money, wins fairly—yet getting declared the winner becomes a problem,” he said. “If elected, I’ll ensure results are transmitted instantly to winners via their phones, along with official declaration forms.”
Calling on party members to support his bid, Galiwango urged voters to focus on issue-based politics.
“Let’s not vote out of excitement, but on issues. Let’s respect each other and avoid violence. This is a family affair—we must protect and grow our party together.”
Galiwango is the brother of the late Ambassador Hassan Wasswa Galiwango, Uganda’s former High Commissioner to Kenya and Seychelles, and longtime Director of Finance and Administration at the NRM Secretariat.
He is expected to face off against John Wekesa Wambogo, a former MP aspirant and current official at the NRM Secretariat, in the party elections scheduled for June 23, 2025.
