Greater Luweero politicians (Left to right) Dr John Muyingo, Denis Sekabira, Brenda Nabukenya and Robert Sekitoleko. PHOTO/COMBO
The Greater Luweero area and cradle of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is at the centre of political activism as NRM seeks to regain elective positions in the sub-region that it lost to the Opposition in the 2021 polls.
Owing to infighting among the Opposition and perceived under performance by some Opposition leaders in the area, political observers predict that the NRM party stands a high chance of reclaiming most of the seats it lost in the past polls
In the 2021 General Elections, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party got most seats across different levels in Greater Luweero, an area originally seen as a traditional NRM stronghold.
For instance, NRM lost the district chairperson seat, all parliamentary seats and the presidential vote in Luweero. For the first time since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in Uganda in 2006, the Opposition took charge of the urban councils of Wobulenzi and Luweero Town Councils respectively.
The mixed voices from a section of the electorate who are dissatisfied and questioning the ability of their current leaders and weighing options come 2026 partly explain the ongoing NRM party activism that has more than doubled in the past six months.
However, a section of political analysts accuse the electorate of asking for too much from the incumbent Opposition leaders, some of whom are serving their first term in office. They said some of the things the electorate are demanding cannot be done in a single term.
Some analysts also claim that unlike their NRM party predecessors, who had deep pockets and regularly gave handouts to residents, the incumbent leaders, who are members of the Opposition do not have the resources to do so.
This, the analysts say, have turned the electorate against them.
In Katikamu South Constituency where NUP’s Hassan Kirumira is seeking a second term, about eight people, three of whom are from his party, are eyeing the seat he currently occupies.
Ms Patricia Magara, the NRM party flag bearer for the Katikamu South constituency, who lost to Mr Kirumira in the 2021 general elections, claims the people who elected the current area legislator including several of his campaign agents, have already switched camp after realising that they made ‘a political mistake’.
“Several of the campaign agents and the voters claim that their MP has chosen to hide and avoid the electorates by giving excuses that are open lies. Avoiding meetings and not listening to the people who voted you as their representative in Parliament is inexcusable. This is the reason why several of the former political campaigners, agents and voters want to vote for me as their legislator,” she said.
But Mr Kirumira denied ever making empty promises and hiding from the electorate.
“When I move out of the country for the different trips that are part of parliamentary work, I keep in touch with my people through my political assistant, among other people in my constituency. It is not true that I hide from them,” he said.
Mr Abubakar Kalume from NRM, Mr Michael Kintu (NUP), Mr Alfred Muwanga (Independent) are among the other contenders eyeing Mr Kirumira’s seat.
In Bamunanika Constituency, the State minister for Higher Education, Dr John Muyingo, has announced his intention to contest for the parliamentary seat that he lost to his former personal assistant and NUP stalwart Robert Ssekitoleko.
A section of the electorate in Bamunanika is counting on different initiatives including the education bursaries, and development projects that Mr Muyingo continues to offer despite leaving Parliament in 2021.
“While it is not the duty of an MP to construct roads, support the vulnerable groups and offer education bursaries for the less privileged children, we are indebted to Dr Muyingo and want to offer him another chance as Member of Parliament,” Mr Edward Kasirye, a retired primary school teacher and resident of Kikyusa Sub-county in Luweero District, said.
Mr Ssekitoleko expressed confidence that he would retain the parliamentary seat, saying the electorate still support him.
However, the uncertainty and unconfirmed rumours about his loyalty to the NUP top party executives is a big concern among his supporters.
Other seats
In Katikamu North Constituency, the incumbent, Mr Denis Ssekabira, a member of NUP, is being challenged by two NRM party big shots.
Mr Ronald Ndawula, the NRM party Luweero District chairperson and Mr Nasur Gaddafi, a member of the NRM party Central Executive Committee representing the youth, are eyeing the seat.
Mr Ssekabira said Members of Parliament have lobbied for the different government projects being implemented in Luweero.
“Personally, the people of Katikamu North know the different projects that have been implemented. We have the Kasana Town roadside market for the fruit and food vendors recently constructed under my initiative among other projects,” he said.
Mr Charles Ssebyala, a Luweero-based political analyst and former area town council chairperson, said service delivery is going to be a basis for re-electing incumbents, not the political parties they subscribe to.
“The people of Luweero have a big list of unfulfilled presidential pledges that have repeatedly been debated, but with no signs of government intervention. Surprisingly, the list of people getting interested in the different elective political posts is growing bigger. Our people should focus on the quality of leaders elected,” he said.
The Luweero District Woman MP seat, occupied by NUP’s Brenda Nabukenya, has attracted more than 10 women who want to replace the incumbent.
Three of the contenders, Sumaiyah Namiiro, Ritah Kabengano, and Nakiganda are from her party--NUP
Others include Central Youth MP Agnes Kirabo of NRM, NRM flag bearer for the District Woman MP seat Cissy Mulondo, Jackline Nakawuka (NRM).
Political analysts see the NRM party regaining some of the lost constituencies in Luweero District including the lower local council positions.
The NRM party loyalists are also banking on the hope that the government fulfils some of the pending presidential pledges, saying this could boost the NRM campaign at both the presidential and parliamentary levels.
Last year, President Museveni visited the area three times in less than two months since 2021.
Political observers opined that the presidential visits were well calculated and a launch pad for next year’s general elections.
A section of the observers believe Mr Museveni, during the three visits, identified the key pressing needs of the electorate in Luweero and identified the unfulfilled pledges that could unlock the closed doors ahead of 2026.
More aspirants are expected to join or leave the various races.
Missed opportunities
According to Mr Erasto Kibirango, the Luweero District chairperson, who subscribes to NUP, Greater Luweero missed the opportunity to benefit from major reconstruction and rehabilitation projects just like it has been with several other districts affected by disasters and wars.
He said the Entandikwa Scheme pioneered by the former minister Kisamba Mugerwa (RIP) and targeting the Greater Luweero was hijacked by Cabinet and funds shared by all districts in Uganda.
“Greater Luweero missed the opportunity. The Luweero Foundation Fund introduced in 1987 shortly after the war only distributed hand hoes and blankets. It will be good if we get an affirmative action plan,” Mr Kibirango added.
About Greater Luweero
Greater Luweero, which was the epicenter of the five-year guerrilla war (between 1981 and 1986), experienced significant losses during the conflict.
Thousands of lives were lost, and the survivors were left to cope with the loss of family members, destruction of property, and a shattered local economy.
While the war ended in 1986, the impact lingered, affecting generations.
Opposition politicians have always accused the government of neglecting the area in the last 39 years it has been in power.
