Kampala Central Member of Parliament aspirant Abraham Luzzi, popularly known as “Mr Economy,” has challenged common public misconceptions about political leadership, stating that many Ugandans wrongly believe Members of Parliament are directly responsible for building roads, schools, and hospitals.
Speaking during NBS Eagle on Sunday, Luzzi — a businessman-turned-politician renowned for his infectious humour, openness, and the now-viral catchphrase “Sarah is tall” — said the misunderstanding of governance has distorted accountability in Uganda’s politics.
“People think politicians work for them directly, and that MPs are responsible for building roads, schools, and hospitals. Ugandans think that whoever has a bag of money and firearms is the government,” he said.
Luzzi’s political journey has spanned several phases. He began as a mobiliser for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Mityana and Mubende, later contesting for Mityana Municipality MP in the 2021 general elections. He briefly joined the Democratic Party (DP) before eventually charting an independent political path, positioning himself as a non-aligned alternative as he seeks to represent Kampala Central.
Unlike traditional politicians who lean heavily on written manifestos, Luzzi says his campaign is anchored in authenticity, direct engagement, and lived experience. His viral social media videos — humorous, candid portrayals of everyday life in Kampala — have earned him widespread attention, admiration, and debate, particularly among urban youth.
Addressing critics who dismiss his online popularity as theatrics, Luzzi insists his campaign is grounded in practical and actionable proposals to transform Kampala Central. His priorities include fixing roads, improving drainage, and installing street lighting through transparent, locally managed contracts; creating youth employment through small-business funds and entrepreneurship programmes; promoting tourism and city branding to position Kampala as a clean, safe, and attractive destination; streamlining trade and transport systems to ease congestion in the city’s commercial hubs; and restoring the environment by regularising quarrying activities with proper safeguards that also generate jobs.
With elections scheduled for Thursday, Luzzi faces stiff competition from high-profile contenders including David Lewis Rubongoya, Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP); Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM); Moses Muhangi, President of the Uganda Boxing Federation; Agaba Muzoora; Suzan Kushaba; among others.
The race will determine the successor to Muhammad Nsereko, the outgoing Kampala Central legislator and President of the Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), who has represented the constituency since 2011.
As the campaign enters its final stretch ahead of Thursday’s polls, Luzzi’s unorthodox approach, blunt rhetoric, and challenge to entrenched political thinking continue to inject fresh debate into Kampala Central’s political landscape.
Whether embraced or contested, his message has pushed voters to re-examine the role of an MP — not as a contractor-in-chief, but as a legislator, overseer, and advocate for accountable governance.