Common Man's Party (CMP) presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, popularly known as ‘Mugati gwa butter,’ has launched a sharp critique of senior politicians in Kalungu District, accusing them of failing to improve residents’ living standards despite holding key government positions.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Kalungu Town on Wednesday, the former Kawempe South MP singled out State Minister for Water Aisha Sekindi and senior presidential advisor Vincent Ssempijja. Sekindi is seeking a third term as Kalungu District Woman MP, while Ssempijja aims to return as Kalungu East MP after a five-year hiatus.
"I have seen campaign posters of Minister Sekindi and Mzee Ssempijja. Both want votes to go to Parliament, but with these bad roads I have seen in Kalungu and households which don't have electricity, don't waste your votes on such people. They are in the ruling NRM, which has been in power for 40 years and have failed to deliver basic services to you," Munyagwa told the crowd to applause.
Data from Kalungu District shows that electrification remains a major challenge. Of the district’s 41,405 households, only 8,188 (19.8%) have access to electricity, while 25,765 households (62.2%) rely on tin lamps. A project launched in March 2019 left 5,800 households unconnected.
During an August 31 rally organized by NRM legislators under the Buganda for Museveni pressure group, Sekindi acknowledged challenges in the district, including land disputes and eviction threats for some residents. She explained that the Ministry of Lands has been compensating landlords to allow tenants to settle peacefully on untitled plots.
In response to Munyagwa’s remarks, Sekindi dismissed the criticisms, calling him a “political failure” with no authority to comment on local politics. “That is his opinion… the people of Kalungu know what we have done for them, and that is why they voted us in power,” she said.
Sekindi faces a competitive race against Aisha Waliggo (Democratic Front), Zzinga Shakirah (NUP), and Hellen Nakeeya (NRM). Ssempijja’s challengers include incumbent Francis Katabaazi (Independent), Yusuf Kiruruta (NUP), Deo Katongole (Independent), Irene Nanyanzi (Independent), Mathias Kintu (DF), and Asuman Kabonge (DP).
Munyagwa also criticized the government’s universal primary and secondary education scheme, pointing to poor implementation and the absence of a feeding program. He pledged that, if elected president, his administration would introduce a feeding program in all public schools and increase teacher salaries.
The criticisms come ahead of a crucial electoral period in Kalungu District. In the January 2021 presidential elections, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, defeated President Yoweri Museveni in the Buganda region, garnering 38,352 votes against Museveni’s 16,377 in Kalungu.
Munyagwa’s campaign in Kalungu highlights growing opposition scrutiny over longstanding issues such as electrification, infrastructure, and education, signaling intensified competition for the ruling NRM ahead of upcoming elections.