Ssekikubo, Rwashande bury the hatchet ahead of NRM primaries
New Vision has learnt that during the meeting, concerns raised by Rwashande regarding the conduct of the RDC’s office were resolved. In parallel, issues raised by Ssekikubo concerning security and the heavy deployment of the army were also addressed.
Ssekikubo welcomed the mediation process in Lwemiyaga, saying it was necessary to avert a potential crisis. “ (Credit: Dismus Buregyeya)
Dismus Buregeya
Journalist @New Vision
LWEMIYAGA - The political tension in Lwemiyaga Constituency, Ssembabule district, has eased after incumbent MP Theodore Ssekikubo and his main challenger in the upcoming parliamentary race, Rtd Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande, agreed to end their rivalry ahead of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primary elections.
This development follows a closed-door security meeting convened last week by the Ssembabule resident district commissioner (RDC), Jane Frances Kagayi, at the district headquarters.
The meeting was prompted by rising security concerns over hostility between the two camps and their supporters, which had intensified during the controversial NRM party village elections—an exercise that had to be repeated over four days.
“We needed to create harmony on both sides for the unity of the NRM party ahead of the party primary elections. We need peace and stability in Lwemiyaga. The hostility must end,” Kagayi said.
New Vision has learnt that during the meeting, concerns raised by Rwashande regarding the conduct of the RDC’s office were resolved. In parallel, issues raised by Ssekikubo concerning security and the heavy deployment of the army were also addressed.
Rwashande told New Vision that the RDC’s office had been interfering in electoral matters with bias.
“The office of the RDC was acting as agents of some politicians. We have ironed out that matter. We demanded that the NRM internal party elections be left to the party registrars and administration,” he said. He also pointed to provocative statements from political opponents, which he said were inciting hatred and violence.
Ssekikubo welcomed the mediation process in Lwemiyaga, saying it was necessary to avert a potential crisis. “We had some politicians who were inciting supporters, and I was getting afraid of a looming genocide,” he said.
Gen. Phenihas Keitirima, who supports Rwashande’s campaign to end Ssekikubo’s 25-year tenure as MP, described the mediation initiative as healthy, especially ahead of the 2026 party primaries and general elections.
Keitirima said he was satisfied with the process, noting that Rwashande’s camp had won convincingly in the party village elections. “We won Ssekikubo’s camp in over 100 out of 133 villages in the constituency. I have no problem with the mediation initiative to move the election in harmony,” he said.
Julius Ssebugwawo, former district speaker and Ssekikubo’s lead campaign manager, said their own success was also evident in the party village polls. “We need a peaceful election environment free from cheating,” he said.
Former works state minister, Joy Kabatsi—another contender in the Lwemiyaga parliamentary race—urged Ssekikubo to step aside, saying his 25 years as area MP were sufficient.
“Ssekikubo should leave the parliamentary podium. Twenty-five years are enough for him. He has expired,” Kabatsi said.
Kabatsi also criticised Rwashande, calling him a traitor. “Imagine, I am the one who brought Gen Rwashande to Lwemiyaga, and he paid me back by contesting against me,” she said.
Nonetheless, Kabatsi noted she would still prefer Rwashande as MP over Ssekikubo. She also said NRM party chairman Sam Kutesa was siding with Rwashande.
Kutesa, who is seeking to retain the Ssembabule district NRM chairmanship, vowed to ensure both the NRM party and President Museveni secure a landslide victory in the 2026 elections. He added that he would engage party stakeholders to promote harmony in Ssembabule.
“We shall not give space for NUP in Ssembabule,” he said.