JEEMA party president and Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa has rejected allegations linking him to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), calling the claims false and politically motivated.
Basalirwa spoke at a press conference on Saturday at his offices in Kataawo Zone, Bugiri Municipality, responding to claims made by his former political assistant, Abdul Rahim Masamba, who reportedly wrote to security agencies accusing him of aiding the rebel group.
‘These claims are baseless and meant to intimidate me and tarnish my reputation,’ Basalirwa said, adding that the accusations had also resulted in threats against his bodyguards and supporters.
The ADF is an Islamic State linked rebel group considered active in Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, known for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Basalirwa further dismissed accusations by some opposition leaders that he had betrayed the opposition and acted as an agent of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
‘I have faced attacks from both sides, but my focus has always been on ensuring that my people benefit from government programmes,’ he said.
He explained that, as the only JEEMA MP, he maintains a working relationship with the ruling party to lobby for development projects in his constituency.
‘I remain in the opposition, but I cannot isolate myself from those implementing government programmes. Hostility would only deny my people services,’ Basalirwa said.
On development priorities, Basalirwa said his next term would focus on economic empowerment, particularly for women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
‘These groups are often left behind, yet they form the backbone of our communities,’ he said, adding that health, education, road maintenance, and household income improvement would remain central.
He pledged to closely monitor the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, noting that Bugiri Municipality is expected to benefit in the 2026/2027 financial year.
‘We want quality tarmac roads, security lighting, and proper drainage systems,’ he said, noting that a municipal USMID committee had been constituted to oversee the project.
Residents, however, voiced ongoing concerns over service delivery. Ms Sarah Kagoya, a vendor at Bugiri Central Market, said the market faces persistent problems such as poor garbage collection and delayed construction, though she acknowledged Basalirwa’s Shs5 million donation to the market vendors’ SACCO.
Kataawo Zone chairperson Musa Bazibu called for the upgrading of more health centres to ease congestion at Bugiri General Hospital and praised Basalirwa for lobbying for Bugiri Health Centre III and staff housing.
Basalirwa is contesting for re-election against four other candidates, including Mercelino Egesa Mangeni (NUP), Nalongo Phoebe Catherine (Independent), Brian Mukwaya (Democratic Party), and John Francis Oketcho (NRM).