Former Personal Assistant to the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, has announced that he will contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Kawempe North by-election.
Luswa claims that he is the best candidate to replace his boss, Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9, 2025.
He says that his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), made a big mistake by denying him the party ticket and giving it to Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola.
“I understand the issues of Kawempe North better than all the people who were in the race for the NUP ticket. Nalukoola is an elite who knows nothing about what we, the common Ugandans in Kawempe, go through,” Luswa says.
He adds, “Many have been wondering what’s next after my party refused to give me the card. I can now confirm that I will stand as an independent, as all the constituents have trust in me.”
Luswa finished third in the 10-man race for the NUP ticket in the Kawempe North by-election. Nalukoola emerged as the winner with 71.4%, Magala Umar finished second with 52.8%, while Luwemba Luswa Muhammad got 35.9%.
Other parties have also announced their flag bearers in the by-election, with Faridah Nambi, daughter of NRM Vice National Chairperson Moses Kigongo, carrying the ruling party flag and Mukiibi Sadat, alias Kalifah Aganaga, carrying the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag. The by-election is scheduled for March 13, 2025.