Museveni’s brother vows to eject MP Ssekikubo from Parliament

One of President Museveni’s brothers, Michael Nuwagira, commonly known as Toyota, has vowed to wage a vigorous campaign to unseat the current Member of Parliament for Lwemiyaga, Theodore Ssekikubo, in the upcoming general elections.

Mr Nuwagira made the remarks during the launch of the campaigns for retired army officer Brig. Gen Emmanuel Rwashande, who is seeking the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag ahead of the 17 July primaries.

“We are going to do everything possible to remove Ssekikubo. He has spent 25 years in Parliament and has nothing to show for it,” Mr Nuwagira declared while addressing supporters at Kalushonshomezi village in Bulongo Sub-county, Ssembabule District.

Nuwagira called on residents to rally behind Rwashande, whom he claimed would bring services closer to them, after Mr Ssekikubo, who is also a member of NRM, which has been in power for four decades, failed.
Brig Gen Rwashande urged residents to support him, promising to address the critical needs of the community.

“My priority is to bring services closer to the people. Health centres, secondary schools, electricity, network, all these are essential and long overdue,” he said.
He also called for calm during the campaigns in Lwemiyaga, a blackspot for electoral violence.
  
“Please, do not fight with security officers. Let us keep peace no matter what situation arises,” he urged.
Mr Sekikubo has, over the years, campaigned against the involvement of the military in local politics, accusing soldiers of perpetuating violence, which has on many occasions led to the death of his constituents.
Some voters in Lwemiyaga have also questioned why a retired army officer like Rwashande moves around with many soldiers as he canvasses for votes.

However, Rwashande stated that the soldiers are not his bodyguards as alleged, but “have greatly helped to maintain peace in the area.”
He said he had already requested the relevant authorities to deploy more soldiers in the area.

Several residents raised concerns about poor service delivery, particularly the absence of electricity and secondary schools in the area, yet they have supported the ruling party under the stewardship of President Museveni for decades. 

“Our children drop out of school after Primary Seven because there’s no secondary school here. They end up herding cattle instead of continuing with education,” Rev. Erasto Munezero said.

Residents also called for peaceful elections in Lwemiyaga.  
“We are tired of violence and bloodshed during elections. Let this one be different,” Mr Umar Kalanzi said.
The NRM’s top leadership had originally directed their party aspirants across the country to hold joint rallies during the primaries.  
However, due to rising tensions and disputes in Lwemiyaga, the party allowed Gen Rwashande and Ssekikubo to hold separate campaign rallies to avert bloodshed.