MUBENDE – Senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders and supporters in Mubende District have called on President Museveni, Defence chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to rescue the party from what they describe as the suffocating political dominance of Kassambya MP David Kabanda.
The demand was made during a meeting held in Bakijulula Cell, Mubende Municipality, under the theme “Zibuka Amaaso, Vva mu Kutya” (“Open Your Eyes, Get Out of Fear”), led by Mubende Municipality MP Hajji Bashir Ssempa Lubega.
Ssempa accused MP Kabanda, District Chairperson Micheal Ntambi, and Mubende District Woman MP Hope Grania Nakazibwe of attempting to be the “kingmakers” of the district.
“We are here to speak out and get resolutions about the impunity of a group of three people who want to control everything in Mubende,” Ssempa told residents.
Locals complained about irregularities in the recently concluded NRM primaries. “We openly voted for our candidates in broad daylight, yet victories were given to other people. Journalists reported preliminary results that were later overturned. We request the President to intervene,” one resident said.
Several unsuccessful NRM candidates attended, including Buwekula South MP William Museveni Ndori, Henry Muhumuza (Kassambya), Topista Tindimwebwa (Woman MP, Mubende), Faridah Uwamahoro Bigirimana (Woman MP, Mubende), Edward Kulabilawo (Buwekula), and Ramathan Akankwasa Mwesige (Mubende Municipality).
Tindimwebwa accused Kabanda of ordering the district elections officer, Amos Natuliinda, not to announce her as the winner.
“We had asked Dr. Tanga Odoi to replace him because he is incompetent. Kabanda ordered him not to announce my victory,” she said.
She also alleged Kabanda moves armed with government security and once shot a man during campaigns without facing consequences.
Buwekula South MP Ndori claimed some voters were removed from the register, adding that NUP could win most seats in Mubende if the tribunal fails to address the complaints.
“Many people are angry. If the tribunal fails to act, NRM will lose Mubende to NUP,” he warned.
Kabanda has denied the allegations, advising those who lost to unite behind the winners for party cohesion. District Chairperson Ntambi also dismissed the accusations, urging losers to seek “spiritual and emotional healing.”