Throughout his address, Kabanda struggled to remind mourners that his late dad George William Walakira and the late Ssaalongo John shared a common boundary for their bibanja, and that at one time as a small kid, he found it difficult to establish whether he was a son to Walakira or top Ssaalongo.
As 2026 systematically and naturally draws near, Ugandan politicians, as expected, are at their usual game that periodically surfaces at every five-year interval.
All functions, religious, cultural, family, incidental – or even accidental – almost as a reflex action, provide a healthy arena for these ‘honorable’ gentlemen and ladies for their games.
Mourners attending the requiem service at Bp. James Hannington Church Nsuube in Mukono, for the late Ssaalongo John Ssekandi, the renowned radio worker-turned celebrity for the magical way of reading announcements, were treated to a dose of this traditional incident.
Among prominent mourners in attendance were the Mayor of Mukono Municipality Erisa Mukasa Nkoyooyo and the Mukono Central Division chairperson, Robert Peter Kabanda.
Omuwandiisi wa Kkooti Ya Kisekwa Aggyiddwako Ogw’okutta Omukulu W’ekika Ky’Endiga
One may be interested to note that Kabanda, subscribing to the National Unity Party (NUP) just like his boss, Mayor Nkoyooyo, has unveiled the intention to unseat him as mayor come 2026, while the mayor himself is swearing, rain or shine to stay put.
Without making direct confrontation or engaging in the traditional name calling, they both made it categorically clear and in no unclear terms, their resolve not only to stand, but to win the mayoral race in the 2026 general elections.
Although both somewhere in their address, distanced themselves from being on the campaign trail, they overtly laid bare their political agenda which included standing as mayor of the municipality by each of them.
Kabanda who took the microphone after Nkoyooyo, began by castigating people whom he blamed for holding the view that whenever a politician stands before voters, he is only targeting asking them for votes regardless of the type of gathering he or she is addressing.
To quote him: “Don’t think that we are here for politics alone. But for goodness sake, what votes would I be asking for from people gathered to say farewell to my parent?” he hastened to add that politics is a passing phase and that as a human being, he has a private life like all other people.
But as he came to the conclusion of his address he said, “I thank you for grooming me into a good boy which has helped me get into leadership, and I am hereby informing you that I am standing for mayorship, and I am destined to win”. All this, as Nkoyooyo looked on given the fact that he had already utilized his time.
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Throughout his address, Kabanda struggled to remind mourners that his late dad George William Walakira and the late Ssaalongo John shared a common boundary for their bibanja, and that at one time as a small kid, he found it difficult to establish whether he was a son to Walakira or top Ssaalongo.
He went to great lengths to assert that the late Ssaalongo John treasured him as an obedient and trustworthy ‘son’, and that at his 90th birthday, he directed his children to invite him (Kabanda) as the chief guest.
“I obediently attended and at the end of the function, he said, ‘I am now a satisfied man and I wouldn’t mind even if I died this moment,” he said.
And when Nkoyooyo took to the podium, he began by announcing that he had directed his treasurer to arrange ‘mabugo’ (condolence money) and added that he had come with it. He declined to mention the amount he had brought.
Nkoyooyo, just like Kabanda, struggled to underline the close relationship he enjoyed with the late Ssaalongo John, and added that he is in politics just because he got good counselling from the great icons in the caliber of the deceased (Ssaalongo John).
“He was once in Seeta where I also stay and we used to hang out together and he used to advise me on how to go about politics when I told him I was joining it,” Nkoyooyo said.
Just like Kabanda, he said, “Today is a day for mourning and I am not going to say anything political”. He however noted at the end of his speech, “I have invited the Bishop of Mukono Diocese Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo to come and pray for me as I get well so that I can continue leading my people”.
Speaking with an inclination of asking voters to ‘see him’, Nkoyooyo said that at 62, all his six children are through with education and as such, he has enough time to attend to people’s needs. In a slightly related tone, he disclosed that he would be walking on foot with other trekkers going for the Buganda masaza cup finals at Namboole between Kyaggwe and Buddu.
It’s so much for Ugandan politicians.