Kazo:– Early grassroots opinion polling conducted across Kazo District points to growing voter confidence in independent Woman Member of Parliament aspirant Kemirembe Ronah Ruganga, with respondents citing her strong community presence, sector-focused interventions and cross-party appeal as central to her rising support.
The informal opinion poll, conducted between December 20, 2025 and January 5, 2026, combined qualitative face-to-face interviews with a broader voter sentiment assessment across Kazo Town Council and neighbouring sub-counties of Buremba, Burunga, Engari, Kanoni, Nkungu and Rwemikoma.
A total of 1,050 registered voters were engaged through door-to-door interactions and community meetings, while a focused group of 73 respondents participated in in-depth discussions to provide detailed views on leadership priorities and district challenges.
Strong grassroots visibility
According to the findings, Ruganga enjoys the highest name recognition among aspirants, a factor respondent largely attributed to her sustained engagement at community events, local meetings and sector-based activities. Interviewees said her accessibility and familiarity with everyday challenges facing households across the district have strengthened public trust in her leadership.
“People see her regularly and they know what she has done for the community,” a respondent in Kanoni sub-county observed, a view echoed across several interview locations.
The poll indicates that Ruganga’s appeal cuts across age and social groups, with particularly strong support registered among women, youth and smallholder farmers.
Respondents identified Ruganga’s involvement in the dairy sector as a key driver of her popularity. Dairy farming remains the backbone of Kazo District’s economy, with an estimated 80 per cent of households depending directly or indirectly on livestock-related activities for their livelihoods.
Several respondents credited Ruganga with contributing to initiatives aimed at improving livestock health and productivity, including facilitating access to veterinary services and livestock treatment. Farmers interviewed said these interventions have helped reduce losses and improve milk output, translating into better household incomes.
“For us, dairy is everything. Anyone who supports farmers in this sector earns trust,” a farmer in Rwemikoma said.
Beyond agriculture, Ruganga’s engagement in the education sector featured prominently in voter assessments. Respondents pointed to her involvement in initiatives aimed at improving academic performance and encouraging closer supervision of schools by parents, teachers and local leaders.
Community members said her emphasis on education aligns with broader aspirations to position Kazo as a centre of learning, particularly at primary and secondary levels.
“She talks about education as a long-term investment, not politics,” a respondent in Kazo Town Council noted.
Independent appeal in a strong NRM area
Although Ruganga is contesting as an independent candidate, the poll suggests her political positioning resonates with voters who prioritise service delivery over party affiliation. Many respondents said her independent status allows her to bridge political divides in a district traditionally associated with strong NRM support.
Within the context of recent NRM primary elections that exposed internal tensions, respondents described Ruganga as a consensus figure, trusted by both NRM-leaning supporters and non-aligned voters.
Among the 73 respondents engaged in detailed interviews, between 52 and 61 said Kazo District requires leaders whose effectiveness outweighs party attachment. Across the wider survey, more than three-quarters indicated they would consider supporting Ruganga if elections were held today.
When compared with other contenders, Ruganga ranked highest on indicators such as approachability, understanding of local challenges and mobilisation ability.
While analysts caution that final outcomes will depend on turnout and campaign dynamics, the poll suggests that for many voters in Kazo, leadership credibility, community impact and practical solutions remain decisive factors, an environment in which Ronah appears to be steadily consolidating ground.
