Independent parliamentary candidate for Kawempe South, Roy Ssemboga, has pledged to champion people-driven solutions to long-standing challenges in the constituency, emphasizing unity, accountability, and inclusive development if elected on 15 January 2026.
Speaking during the Kawempe South Parliamentary Debate hosted by NBS Television on Sunday, Ssemboga delivered a message centered on community empowerment and responsive leadership.
“It is time for us, the people of Kawempe, to handle our own problems. I promise that what hurts you also hurts me, and I want to see change in Kawempe for the better,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience as the 82nd Guild President of Makerere University, Ssemboga highlighted deep-rooted inequalities in access to education within Kawempe South. He expressed concern that many individuals he grew up studying with were unable to progress to university due to systemic and economic barriers.
“Education should not be a privilege for a few but a right for all,” he said, calling for policies that strengthen access to quality education and support learners at all levels.
Ssemboga also raised alarm over healthcare challenges in the constituency, pointing out a paradox where Kawempe South hosts about four nationalized hospitals, yet residents continue to struggle to access timely and affordable medical services.
“The presence of hospitals alone is not enough. We must ensure that healthcare services are accessible, functional, and responsive to the needs of our people,” he said.
In a policy proposal, Ssemboga stated that if given the opportunity to influence legislation, he would advocate for public servants to receive their healthcare from public institutions, a move he believes would improve accountability, service delivery, and investment in public healthcare systems.
On economic empowerment, Ssemboga addressed the high cost of doing business in Kampala, citing heavy taxation and an unpredictable market environment as major obstacles to growth for small and medium enterprises.
“The cost of doing business in Kampala is high, with heavy taxes and an uncertain market. We shall reduce the taxes levied so that business can thrive through supportive policies,” he said.
Ssemboga emphasized the need for a business-friendly environment that nurtures entrepreneurship, creates jobs, and strengthens the local economy.
He reaffirmed his commitment to servant leadership and participatory governance, urging residents of Kawempe South to take an active role in shaping their future.
His campaign, he said, is anchored on education reform, accessible healthcare, economic empowerment, and people-centered leadership, aimed at delivering tangible change for the constituency.
Ssemboga’s independent bid followed his loss of the National Unity Platform (NUP) card to Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, an elder brother of party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. He argued that NUP’s vetting process lacked transparency and failed to prioritize local representation.
Ssemboga is set to face off with Fatima Nansubuga of the Democratic Front (DF), Faisal Ddamulira of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Hassan Ssenkungu of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Madina Ntale Nsereko of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Ssekanjako Dafala of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), as well as independent candidates Muhammed Ssenyonga, Musa Kyagulanyi, and Umar Nsubuga.
All are seeking to replace outgoing legislator Bashir Kazibwe Mbazira, who has represented the constituency since 2021 under the National Unity Platform (NUP).
A former president of the Uganda Journalists Association, Kazibwe Mbazira clinched the Kawempe South parliamentary seat with 26,855 votes, trouncing NRM’s Solomon Mayanja, who garnered 6,818 votes, while then-incumbent Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of the Forum for Democratic Change came third with 3,000 votes.
