Whether out of desperation, inability to cope with the commoners’ lifestyle, missing the red carpet type of lifestyle, or genuinely responding to voters’ outcries for the mistakes they (voters) made in dropping former National Resistance Movement (NRM) ‘darlings’, the now undoubted (and almost official) stand is that over ten former ministers are determined head-over-heels to re-take their parliamentary seats.
In what seems to be a do-or-die matter, some former ministers have been out of the august house for more than one term but are now bent on bouncing back in a manner reminiscent of people who have devised new hat tricks of sweet talking voters into accepting them back after so many years.
One case ironically standing out in this category is that of former Trade Minister, Amelia Kyambadde who was ousted by his top campaigner renowned artiste Hilary Kiyaga alias Dr. Hilderman of the ‘Mazongoto’ fame, whom the former minister now blames for not having fulfilled his expectations as a people’s representative and so wants to throw him out!
Former Lands State Minister Asuman Kiyingi was ejected from the Bugabula South seat by Henry Maurice Kibalya in 2016 but he says, he is being pestered by voters who tell him that the two terms he has been away have been a period of suffering as ‘there is no longer anyone to help them (voters) with planting material, agricultural inputs, sinking boreholes…’
Never forget that he is battling with seven other contenders including Kibalya, Jude Walubo (FDC), Mathias Bazannya (NUP), Shanon Dhizaala, Andrew Muwanguzi, Patricia Katagwa and former district chairperson, Thomas Kategere.
Back in Kyotera, Micro Finance State Minister, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo has begun rallying his pre 2021 campaign team to brace for the battle against DP’s John Paul Lukwago Mpalanyi who snatched the constituency from him. Likewise, Kasolo has rejuvenated his campaign committees, and reconciled with Kyotera district chairperson, Patrick Kintu Kisekulo with whom they have for long been at loggerheads.
Citing projects, he says he wants to bail out, Kasolo cited the alleged defunct women’s associations which he had helped set up, vocational development skills which are no longer functional, Kalisizo hospital which he says is in a sorry state and many other projects.
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Besides the incumbent DP’s Lukwago Mpalanyi, he is going to tussle with Charles Kirumira (NUP), Priscilla Kibuuka Nansubuga and possibly others likely to show up in due course.
Former Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja seems to be in a bit of comfortable position because ever since he lost the Kalungu East parliamentary seat, he has maintained touch with the grassroots and has always been reminding them, whenever chance to speak publicly has shown up, that he is the missing link.
And dropping out of cabinet came as a disguised blessing as it pushed him closer down where he has been exemplifying himself as a strong opponent of politics of revenge, and is said to be a frequent visitor to ‘joints’ at all levels.
Ssempijja is facing the man who toppled him, NUP’s Francis Katabaazi, former NRM supporter-turned People’s Front for Freedom (PFF’s) Mathias Kintu Musoke, NUP’s Ssemakula Saul, fellow NRM supporter Irene Nanyanzi, Deogratius Katongole and others.
Another aspirant is former State Minister for Urban Development Isaac Musumba who wants ‘another rap’ in Buzaaya county, Kamuli district from where he was ousted in 2021. One of Musumba’s reliable bases for an answer to the incessant question of ‘what have you done for us?’ is his unending contribution to religious institutions’ calls, buying computers for schools, undertaking road repairs and fixing bridges.
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Former State Minister for Youth, Ronald Kibuule of Mukono North surprisingly lost the slot in 2021 to NUP’s Abdallah Kiwanuka Mulimamayuuni, but is ready for running again in 2026 with incumbent Kiwanuka and Kenneth Nsubuga Ssebagayunga, who recently deserted the NRM and opted for the Democratic Party (DP).
If elections were to be held tomorrow, Kibuule would have an upper hand as an unopposed NRM candidate, making the running smooth for him against the other two, and other opposition aspirants to possibly come up.
Kibuule is on record for having come to the rescue of bibanja holders oppressed by big landlords, extending electricity to the rural communities, extending safe water to the communities, and assisting religious investments and projects.
The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba and her state minister for lands Dr. Sam Mayanja have done a tremendous job in rescuing land grabbing victims, with the two almost wherever they go, making arrest orders to corrupt lands department staff and fraudsters working with them. This, to an extent, has brought the minister closer to the hearts of the oppressed bibanja holders.
Nabakooba has the primary hurdle of flooring fellow NRM supporter, Sumayah Nakayiza Walusimbi and, if she emerges victorious, to take on incumbent NUP’s Joyce Bagala and Faustin Nalubega Bitaano also of NUP.
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Another one in an apparent privileged position is State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo who has maintained close touch with the voters and never severed his traditional assistance to them. Although Muyingo was floored by NUP’s Robert Ssekitoleko in 2021, his bursary schemes to students remained undisturbed.
The Bamunaanika seat is attracting, besides Muyingo and incumbent Robert Ssekitoleko, another NUP supporter Samuel Ssekkadde and NRM’s Liz Ssalabwa.
Former Tourism State Minister Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi is swearing to give an overwhelming blow to Mityana North’s Muhammad Nsegumire Kibedi, a fellow NRM diehard. In 2021, Kiwanda was compelled to step down for Nsegumire. Currently, either side is striving to convince the voters that it has the best manifesto.
Others making a comeback include former State Minister for Kampala Bennie Namugwanya who is taking on Hope Grania Nakazibwe to whom she lost the Mubende Woman MP seat in 2021. Another contender in the race is Teopista Nalongo Tindyeebwa.
Fred Ruhindi, who is a former Attorney General, is making a second attempt at taking Nakawa East parliamentary seat after Eng. Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo’s declaration that he is vying for the position of Lord Mayor.
NRM Chief Mobiliser Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde who lost Wakiso Woman MP seat to incumbent Ethel Betty Naluyima, says she is currently engaged in looking for votes for her boss President Museveni and on whether she will stand, she said this will depend on advice from the party leadership.
Elsewhere, Alintuma Nsambu who was ousted from Bukoto East parliamentary seat by Rosemary Namayanja in 2016, is now standing against incumbent Evans Kanyike, while in Busiro North, Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi is standing against NUP’s Paul Nsubuga who ejected him in 2021.
What is the Voters’ Take?
Jowali Ali: These wishing to make a comeback were rejected for sidelining the voters after winning the elections. They have no assurances that people’s minds and views about them have changed. Let them give an opportunity to others.
Ibrahim Kateregga: We thank the ministers for what they did during their tenure. But they need to be informed that there are other capable people down here.
Maria Namusoga: If the ministers made grave mistakes, the people who rejected them are still around and will again throw them out. Let them concentrate on whatever they are doing now.
Farouk Lugoloobi: If they have done their homework and now know the reasons for their failures, let them come back and take another chance. If they have performed even out of parliament, people will vote for them.