As the country gears for the 2026 general elections, a section of youths from different political parties in Eastern Uganda have merged to form a political pressure group. The group named Eastern Revolutionary Platform (ERP) was launched on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Jinja city.
The controversial National Unity Platform (NUP) mobilizer Moses Bigirwa was unveiled as the president of the Revolutionary group. Ivan Masha is serving as the deputy president, Francis Adepho, Secretary General, while John Ndaula was unveiled as the movement publicist.
The movement has a slogan “Eastern First,” and the black colour with group members says it signifies that the Eastern region was forgotten by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
According to them, the pressure movement aims to demand the shares of the Eastern sub-region on the National Cake. Bigirwa says they have to come to negotiate for power, eastern region to be considered in service deliveries.
“We were forgotten because we don’t have anyone to speak for us. Regions like Buganda have benefited from this government because they stood up and spoke. We have therefore come to speak for our region,” he said.
Bigirwa rallies political actors from different eastern districts to champion their move to they have one voice in demand for regional balance.
“Please join to negotiate power. we have taken this risk to negotiate with government,” he said.
Adepho, the General Secretary, says they envision to politically transform the mindset of Eastern region people on the status of Uganda leadership.
“We are launching this from here Busoga sub-region because we believe we can base from here and traverse the entire Eastern region”, said Adepho during the launch.
He said the Eastern region has since independence been ‘dodged’ with leaders creating disunity among the residents. The group now says it is high time leaders from the east took over power.
The youthful leaders of the group threatened to “deal with” the NRM government, which they accuse for disrespecting the Ugandans, particularly from the east.
“In fact, we are ensuring the next president after Museveni must come from the East. At least several regions have had presidents, but this time, we must have the fountain of honour from Eastern Uganda,” he said.
Bigirwa, who in 2021 contested as the as the Kamuli Municipality lawmaker and lost against Baroda Kayanga, is ready to stand to stand for presidency according to his statements.
