On Thursday, March 13, the Kawempe North constituency will head to the polls to elect a new Member of Parliament to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Political parties, including NRM, FDC, NUP, the Democratic Party, and independent candidates, are already gearing up for the election.
NRM has fielded Faridah Nambi, a daughter of NRM Vice Chairman Moses Kigongo. NUP has presented Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, a former legal advisor of the Democratic Party. FDC is being represented by musician Kalifah Aganaga, while Henry Kasakya Mubiru is the DP candidate.
1. The NUP-NRM Battle for Kampala and the Buganda Region
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost all parliamentary seats in Kampala and Wakiso District to NUP in the last election.
NRM is looking to win this election to prove it still holds political influence in Kampala and the Buganda region. This election will serve as a preview of what could happen in 2026, and an NRM victory could give them momentum to reclaim Buganda in next year’s general elections.
On the other hand, the National Unity Platform (NUP) won by a landslide in Kawempe North in the previous election, with Muhammad Ssegirinya securing over 40,000 votes.
NUP is determined to retain the seat. That is why party president Robert Kyagulanyi, a.k.a Bobi Wine, has visited Kawempe twice since the campaigns began. He is set to campaign again for Nalukoola on Monday, March 10.
Losing this position could support critics’ claims that NUP’s victory in Buganda in 2021 was merely a political wave. To counter this, NUP is going all out to defend the seat. A win would reaffirm the party’s strength and pose a challenge for NRM candidates in Buganda in the next elections.
2. Alex Luwemba Luswa and the Sympathy Card
Alex Luwemba Luswa was a political assistant to the late Muhammad Ssegirinya. His campaign largely revolves around sympathy and completing Ssegirinya’s unfinished projects.
However, his chances of winning Kawempe North are slim after he was denied the NUP ticket.
Critics also argue that he lacks experience and should have contested for a lower position. Nonetheless, a victory for him could keep the sympathy card alive for future elections.
3. The Music Industry and Kalifah Aganaga
In recent elections, several artists from the music industry have successfully transitioned into politics.
Notable examples include Geoffrey Lutaaya, Racheal Magoola, Dr. Hilderman, and Kayemba Solomon. Their success may have inspired Kalifah Aganaga to contest for a parliamentary seat.
If Kalifah Aganaga wins, it could encourage more artists to join politics ahead of next year’s general elections. However, if he loses, it could lower the expectations of other musicians who have expressed political ambitions.
The Kawempe North elections are set to take place this Thursday, March 13.
