Kawempe byelection: Ssegirinya widow, Nalukoola reconcile

As the Kawempe North byelection race takes shape, widow of the constituency's Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya has reconciled with Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola.

Widow Twahirah Akandinda Ssegirinya recently announced intentions to contest for the seat left vacant after Ssegirinya's death.

However, on February 18, 2025, she announced that she was withdrawing from the race and ready to back and support Nalukoola, who is the flag-bearer of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Ssegirinya was in Parliament on the NUP ticket.

“I have decided to reconcile with my brother Nalukoola and I will back and support him for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat. Because of the unity of the party, I have chosen to work with the party flag-bearer for the better of the people of Kawempe North,” Akandinda said.

Akandinda was flanked by two other widows of the late MP and Nalukoola.

While addressing the media, Nalukoola welcomed Akandinda’s move of backing him for the parliamentary seat noting that he is ready to move in the footsteps of his predecessor adding that in case he doesn’t understand anything, he will consult his allies on the way forward.

“We welcome Akandinda, the widow of our colleague who is in support of the official candidate of NUP. Akandinda has done this because she doesn’t want to contradict with the legacy that was left behind by her late husband. As they backed me, they handed over to me with the blueprint that used to aid Ssegirinya to offer his services well to the people of Kawempe North,” Nalukoola said.

Sserinya's right hand man goes independent

However, earlier this week, Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, the former personal assistant of Ssegirinya announced his bid to contest as an independent candidate after failing to secure a party card from the party.

He claimed that he was the best candidate to replace his deceased boss.

 Although Luswa claims to be the best candidate, he managed to secure only 35.8% out of 100%, a mark that was being awarded by the party’s Electoral Management Committee (EMC) after the vetting process, debate and ground consultations.

NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya in an interview said all prospective flag-bearers signed consent forms deterring them from running as independents in case they weren't selected.

“This doesn’t mean that we take away their rights to stand as independents if they choose to but this means that if you run as an independent, you cease to be a party member. Our constitution is clear on this,” Rubongoya said, adding that as a party, they don’t think one of their former members running as an independent will divide the party's votes.

Yesterday, the Democratic Party (DP) unveiled Henry Kasacca Mubiru as its flag-bearer for the seat.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flagbearer Hajjat Faridah Nambi said she is ready to take on all her competitors in the race adding that she is optimistic that she will win the byelection.

Forum for the Democratic Change (FDC) party's flag-bearer is artiste Sadat Mukiibi aka Kalifah Aganaga.

The Electoral Commission (EC) led by Justice Simon Byabakama set February 26 and 27 as nomination dates for Kawempe North, from February 28 to March 11, the candidates will hold campaigns and on March 13, there will be conducting of elections and announcing the winner of the elections.