A Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) handover ceremony in Lwengo District descended into chaos after District Chairperson Ibrahim Kitatta and Bukoto West MP Muhammad Muyanja Ssentaayi physically clashed over who should welcome Minister for Kampala, Hajjat Hanifah Minsa Kabanda.
The dramatic altercation, which unfolded before government officials, security personnel, and residents, forced UPDF officers to intervene to prevent further embarrassment.
Minister Kabanda had spent the morning touring Lusaka Primary School and Malongo Baptist Primary School, both newly constructed by the UPDF.
However, when she arrived at Katovu Town Council for the main ceremony, tensions between Kitatta and Ssentaayi boiled over.
Each leader insisted on delivering the official welcome, leading to a heated verbal exchange that quickly turned physical. UPDF officers had to step in to separate the two before the situation escalated further.
Expressing disappointment over the incident, Minister Kabanda warned that such conduct was damaging the image of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
"Leaders who behave in such an undisciplined manner are the ones damaging the reputation of our government. If they cannot respect themselves, how can they expect the people they lead to respect them?" she remarked.
She cautioned that if the infighting continued, it could weaken the NRM’s support in Lwengo ahead of the 2026 elections.
"If our leaders in Lwengo do not change their ways, they may cause serious harm to the party in the next elections," she added.
The rivalry between Kitatta and Ssentaayi, both members of the NRM, has been ongoing for years, with Kitatta reportedly eyeing Ssentaayi’s Bukoto West parliamentary seat in 2026. Their repeated clashes at government events have highlighted deep political divisions.
During a past NRM gathering, Kitatta was denied a chance to speak, only for President Museveni to intervene and grant him the microphone. He used the opportunity to accuse fellow leaders of corruption and mismanagement of government funds.
The tension escalated last year when Speaker of Parliament Anita Among visited Bukoto West and publicly endorsed Ssentaayi’s re-election, advising Kitatta to remain in his district chairperson role. This reportedly frustrated Kitatta, further straining their relationship.
With political turmoil in Lwengo showing no signs of easing, Minister Kabanda’s warning could prompt closer scrutiny of the district’s leadership. Residents are now watching to see how these tensions will shape the 2026 elections.