By Mulengera ReportersIn his latest column, veteran NRM propagandist Ofwono Opondo fears that NRM is headed for hard times in especially Lango sub region where he fears that a re-energized UPC under ex-First Son Jimmy Akena, could cause ripples and tidal waves come 2026. That, naturally, will politically diminish NRM at local council level, Parliament and the Presidential vote in Lango sub region.As for Norbert Mao’s DP, Opondo says those remaining in the country’s oldest party have been reduced to “disfigured bystanders.” He mocks FDC Najjanankumbi and NUP for being the biggest losers of this season as Kavule has lost 6 MPs who have defected to NRM (2 of them) and another four to Mathias Mpuuga’s Democratic Front. He brags that his NRM hasn’t endured any MP level defections thus far.Opondo says that NUP has resorted to becoming more reckless and noisy instead of engaging in some soul-searching leading to some internal stabilization. He also describes the energy NUP foot soldiers have expended bashing Mpuuga as unjustified. He describes losing 6 MPs NUP has lost out of 57 as something not very small. He describes Katonga-based PFF as ethnically-motivated while likening Mpuuga’s DF to “a gathering of disgruntled clansmen.”He also disputes the circumstances under which Gen Muntu and his ANT group agreed to once again work with the Dr. Kizza Bssigye-led group at Katonga. He predicts worse days for what remains of FDC at Najjanankumbi. He says the Mpuugas are “chasing political illusions [whatever that means].”He adds that even his own NRM isn’t out of the woods as yet. He says that the ruling party is plunging into 2026 electioneering season with a poor service delivery record which will make it hard brand to sell to a politically very fatigued population. He also fears that the internal party preparatory electoral processes have let in a lot of people, including those with serious credibility problems.Opondo, renowned for taking no prisoners, likens many of these fortune-hunters, including those trying to elude future criminal prosecution, to “wild mushrooms” flocking into the NRM camp. He says that these are dangerous and their recruitment is something detrimental that could cost the NRM some reputation value, some day.The man from Mulanda in Tororo district also predicts that, being the incumbent political system, the ruling NRM is going to suffer a lot of very damaging scrutiny enabled by the very vibrant social media environment under which 2026 elections is going to be organized. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).