National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya has emphasised that true leadership goes beyond eloquence and academic credentials, pointing instead to a leader’s ability to connect with ordinary people and address their everyday challenges.
“Leadership isn’t about speaking good English. It’s about connecting with the people, understanding their problems, and providing solutions,” Rubongoya said.
He argued that competence should not be reduced to technical qualifications alone, citing the late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, who despite his short time in Parliament, earned admiration from many Ugandans for his grassroots connection and service.
“The late Hon. Ssegirinya served for a very short time but you can agree with me that the majority of Ugandans consider him a very good leader,” Rubongoya noted.
Rubongoya added that education and experience lose value if a leader is detached from the people. “Regardless of how experienced and educated you are, if you have lost touch with the people on ground, how do you expect NUP to back you?” he asked.
His remarks underscore NUP’s philosophy of people-centered leadership, where service delivery and grassroots engagement are valued above political showmanship and linguistic polish.
