There was teargas, batons and bullets with a life lost and a few bodies maimed back in July when a real military general, Emmanuel Rwashande, and a political general, Theodore Ssekikubo, set up a seismic battle for Lyemiyaga County in the NRM primaries.
But that was just the 'jaribu' and it appears that the real fight is just about to begin.
Theodore Ssekikubo on Thursday carried a chair as his symbol for an independent candidate after losing the party flag to Gen Rwashande.
Known for his fiery rhetoric and defiant political style, Ssekikubo was cleared by the Electoral Commission to defend his parliamentary seat, setting the stage for yet another bruising contest in a constituency that has rarely known calm during election seasons.
When he appeared at the nomination centre in Sembabule, Ssekikubo exuded confidence, smiling and waving to supporters who chanted his name.
He said his goal remains to ensure that the rule of law governs elections in Lwemiyaga, warning against a repeat of the chaos that has previously marred NRM primaries in the area.
“Lwemiyaga must never again experience the kind of violence we saw before. This election must be about ideas, not intimidation,” Ssekikubo said.
The outspoken legislator, who has represented the constituency since 2001, has built a reputation as both a reformer within the ruling NRM and one of its most vocal internal critics.
His public confrontations with powerful party figures have made him both a symbol of resilience and a polarizing figure in Uganda’s political landscape.
In this year’s race, Ssekikubo faces renewed competition from Emmanuel Rwashande, a military officer turned politician, who is being fronted by a section of NRM loyalists in Sembabule.
Yet Ssekikubo remains confident that his enduring bond with the people of Lwemiyaga will see him through.
“People know who has stood with them through difficult times,” he said. “We’ve walked this journey together, and I trust their judgment.”
Analysts note that Lwemiyaga’s politics often mirror the deeper struggles within the ruling party — a battle between loyalty to authority and demands for internal democracy.
Ssekikubo’s independent streak has repeatedly put him at odds with the establishment, but his strong grassroots base has kept him in Parliament for over two decades.
As campaigns draw near, residents cite land conflicts, cattle farming policies, poor infrastructure, and education access as the pressing issues shaping the contest.
Ssekikubo has pledged to address these concerns and to champion transparency and accountability in local governance.
“Leadership is not about fear or force,” he said. “It’s about service and accountability. That’s what I stand for.”
For many in Lwemiyaga, the coming election is more than a political battle — it is a referendum on Ssekikubo’s legacy as a fighter for justice and fairness in a district that has long been a theatre of political intrigue.
As nominations close and campaigns begin, one thing remains certain: Lwemiyaga’s politics will once again command national attention — and Theodore Ssekikubo is not backing down.
