On a quiet morning in Kibinge Sub-county, the sounds of clucking poultry and rustling banana leaves echo across a sprawling farm in Budda village.
At the centre of it all is Hassan Mukiibi Sserunjoji, gumboots on and sleeves rolled up, moving between enterprises with the ease of a man deeply familiar with both the soil and the responsibilities of leadership.
This farm is more than a place of production — it is the foundation of a political journey.
Recently elected as Member of Parliament for Bukomansimbi South in Bukomansimbi District, Sserunjoji represents a leadership approach rooted in productivity, self-reliance and lived experience.
Born to the late Hajji Kasim Mukiibi and Aisha Namukasa, his early life was shaped by rural realities where survival often depended on hard work and land use.
He began his education at Budda Church of Uganda Primary School and later attended St. Charles Lwanga Primary School Kyabakuza before joining Kawempe Muslim Secondary School.
Sserunjoji later pursued a law degree at Makerere University and furthered his studies in Global Diplomacy in the United Kingdom.
Despite his academic achievements, he remained closely connected to his rural roots.
Long before entering politics, he had established over 50 acres of productive farmland.
Coffee plantations, banana gardens and livestock enterprises form part of a mixed farming model he strongly advocates for.
His poultry project has become a consistent income source, while goat and rabbit rearing provide additional economic stability.
“Farming is no longer just about survival; it is a business,” he often tells residents, encouraging them to adopt diversified agricultural practices.
For many in Bukomansimbi, his farm has evolved into an informal learning centre where community members gain practical skills and inspiration.
Sserunjoji’s political breakthrough came during the recent elections when he defeated candidates from dominant political parties including the National Resistance Movement and the National Unity Platform to win the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
His campaign focused on economic empowerment rather than handouts or rhetoric a message that resonated strongly with voters seeking tangible solutions to poverty and unemployment.
Despite his victory, he has been outspoken about the conduct of politics, criticising the use of abusive language, intimidation and sectarian messaging during campaigns.
He has since called for stricter regulations to promote issue-based political engagement.
“Leadership should not be about insults or division. It should be about solutions,” he says.
For Sserunjoji, politics is not a departure from farming but an extension of it.
He believes leaders who are economically independent are better positioned to serve without personal interests.
“Before you lead others, you should be able to stand on your own,” he advises aspiring politicians.
Back on his farm, workers continue tending crops and livestock as he inspects progress a scene that reflects his belief that leadership begins with action.
In a region where poverty and unemployment remain pressing challenges, Sserunjoji’s journey presents an alternative narrative one where development is cultivated from the ground up.
As he prepares to take his seat in Parliament, expectations are high. But for many residents, one thing is already certain: their MP is not just a politician, but a farmer determined to uplift others along the way.
