Museveni’s recent Appointments of RDCs and Assistants, a Strategic move for 2026 Elections

By Wabusimba Amiri. The recent appointments of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), their deputies, and newly introduced assistants by President Museveni, ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections, highlight a deliberate strategy to consolidate his influence across the country. The timing of these appointments, as Uganda gears up for another election cycle, signals a clear alignment of governmental structures with the political objectives of the ruling party.

Originally, the RDC role was intended to act as a bridge between the central government and local communities, enhancing service delivery, implementing government policies, and maintaining security at the district level. However, over time, this role has gained significant political importance, particularly during election periods. President Museveni’s recent appointment of 169 RDCs, their deputies, and the introduction of new assistants underscore his intention to tighten control over Uganda’s political landscape in preparation for the 2026 elections. This strategy, while not new, reflects a well-established approach that Museveni has consistently used to maintain dominance in the electoral process.

By assigning two assistants per district, Museveni is not only increasing the administrative capacity of the RDC’s office but also establishing a more intricate network of political operatives. These operatives are expected to monitor, influence, and manage local political affairs more effectively. This expansion is seen as a method of reinforcing the government’s hold on grassroots politics, ensuring that the ruling party’s agenda is both disseminated and enforced at the district level. These appointments are not merely routine administrative changes; they are a calculated effort to secure the loyalty of key local leaders who will be crucial in mobilizing support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as the elections draw near.

Historically, Museveni has used RDC appointments to exert influence and control at the grassroots level. The RDC, originally intended to be an impartial government representative, has become a central figure in the NRM’s election strategy. Over the years, RDCs have shifted from overseeing government programs to monitoring opposition activities and safeguarding the ruling party’s interests in every district. This pattern was evident in the lead-up to previous elections, such as in 2006, when Museveni strategically reshuffled RDCs in key districts to ensure that only NRM loyalists remained in influential positions. This was part of a broader effort to counter growing opposition and solidify the ruling party’s presence nationwide.

A similar approach was employed during the 2011 elections, where RDC appointments were used to bolster support in regions where the opposition was gaining ground. These officials, though tasked with administrative duties, were also expected to act as political operatives, rallying support for the NRM and minimizing opposition influence. By the 2016 elections, the role of RDCs had become even more politicized, with the introduction of Deputy RDCs serving as evidence of this trend. These appointments were particularly significant in regions with strong opposition support, serving as a counterbalance to local political dynamics that could threaten the ruling party’s control. The 2021 elections further entrenched this approach, with appointments marked by a greater emphasis on loyalty and political alignment. RDCs and their deputies played pivotal roles in coordinating the government’s electoral efforts, especially in opposition strongholds, underscoring their importance in securing a favorable outcome for the NRM.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 elections, the recent appointments of 169 RDCs, Deputies, and more than 300 Assistants by President Museveni suggest a continuation of this strategic approach. By expanding the network of RDCs and enhancing their roles, Museveni is laying the groundwork for a well-coordinated and deeply entrenched campaign apparatus designed to secure his position and maintain the NRM’s dominance. These appointments indicate that the upcoming elections will be fiercely contested, with the ruling party making every effort to retain power.

This pattern of using local government appointments for electoral advantage reflects a broader strategy where administrative roles are increasingly politicized to serve the ruling party’s interests. As history has shown, these appointments are not merely about governance; they are a calculated effort to control the political narrative, manage opposition, and ultimately secure victory in Uganda’s complex electoral landscape. Museveni’s long-standing approach to maintaining power relies on a tightly controlled network of loyalists who can be trusted to carry out the ruling party’s agenda at the local level. As the 2026 elections approach, the role of RDCs will be as crucial as ever in shaping the vote’s outcome and ensuring that Museveni’s grip on power remains unchallenged.

These past appointments illustrate a clear pattern where the deployment of RDCs and other officials has been instrumental in ensuring that the NRM remains the dominant political force in Uganda. The timing and nature of these appointments reflect a strategic approach to governance, where the lines between administrative duties and political objectives are deliberately blurred to maintain control over the electoral process. As Uganda moves toward the 2026 elections, these historical precedents suggest that the role of RDCs will once again be pivotal in shaping the political outcome. The current appointment of figures like Edrisa Musuza aka Eddy Kenzo as Presidential Advisors on creatives, among many others who rarely provide actionable advise or even meet with the President, highlights a pattern of creating positions that serve more as political gestures than as contributions to governance, all at the expense of taxpayers.

Author is a Diplomatic Student, Communication Specialist, political analyst and Human Right activist.