Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, who recently contested in the Kawempe North Member of Parliament by-election, has announced his decision to step away from partisan politics, saying he will now focus on promoting the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Uganda.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Tuesday, Luswa said he had resolved to redirect his energy away from electoral competition and towards civic engagement, marking a significant shift from active party politics.
Luwemba, who has previously contested as an independent candidate for the position of Lord Councillor in Kawempe, acknowledged his poor showing in recent elections.
During his campaigns, he had publicly expressed confidence in his grassroots support, at times claiming stronger backing than that of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
However, the election results told a different story, with Luswa suffering a heavy defeat in the Kawempe North by-election.
Political observers say the outcome appears to have influenced his decision to withdraw from partisan political competition, particularly in an increasingly polarised political environment.
Despite stepping back from electoral politics, Luwemba said he is not exiting public life.
He stressed that he intends to remain active as a civic actor, advocating for democratic governance, respect for human rights and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“I am not abandoning public engagement, but choosing a different path through which I believe I can contribute more meaningfully to the country,” he said in his statement.
Luswa joined active politics riding in the shadows of his past engagement as an aide to former Kawempe North legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya.
His decision adds to a growing list of former political contenders who have opted to pursue activism and civic engagement outside formal party structures, often citing structural challenges within Uganda’s electoral and political system.
It remains unclear how Luswa will operationalise his new focus, including whether he will work independently or align himself with established civil society organisations and advocacy groups.
