Former Mawogola North MP, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, has vowed to reclaim President Museveni’s overwhelming support in Sembabule District after the opposition drastically cut the President’s vote share from 98 percent to 56 percent in the last election.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs was speaking at a meeting with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders from the six sub-counties that make up Mawogola North— Kawanda, Mitima, Mijwala, Sembabule Town Council, Mabindo, and Lugusuulu— to strategize on restoring President Museveni’s victory margin, which they say has significantly reduced as the opposition gains ground.
During the Tuesday meeting held at his home in Kisekera, Lugusuulu Sub-county, Sembabule District, Mr Kutesa revealed that he was not supporting any parliamentary candidate this time, since his daughter, Shartis Musherure Nayebare, is not on the ballot and because he wants to avoid internal political fights.
Ms Musherure, who has been serving as Mawogola North Member of Parliament, pulled out of the race, much to the disappointment of many voters in the area.
‘This time, I have no Member of Parliament candidate I am supporting. My focus is only on ensuring that President Museveni gets at least 85 percent of the vote in Sembabule,’ Mr Kutesa said.
In the 2021 elections, President Museveni garnered 45,234 votes, while his closest rival, National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Robert Kyagulanyi, garnered 33,525 votes across the district.
Currently, six candidates are competing for the Mawogola North parliamentary seat. However, the main battle is emerging between NRM’s Sodo Aine Kaguta and Independent Candidate Jet Tumwebaze, although NUP’s Iddi Semata continues to win new support.
NRM leaders fear the party’s presidential vote share could fall even further from the already worrying 56 percent, prompting Kutesa to intervene to, as he put it, ‘save’ President Museveni’s numbers.
Mawogola North is currently represented by Kutesa’s daughter, Shartis Musherure Kuteesa, though the 2021 election was marred by disputes between her and Museveni’s brother Sodo Aine.
The tensions forced Aine to withdraw from the race. He was reportedly promised a smooth run in 2026, with Musherure stepping aside.
But Kutesa distanced himself from any parliamentary endorsement:
‘I am not backing anyone for MP. My mission is simple to secure victory for President Museveni and nothing else,’ he said.
He also issued a warning to NUP supporters who believe they can take over Sembabule.
‘Those who think they are going to overrun Sembabule, their journey ends here,’ Kutesa declared.
In the previous election, NUP won Mawogola South, where Gorreth Namugga secured 9,783 votes, defeating NRM’s Dez Byuma, who received 8,418 votes.
Kutesa said Sembabule politics has become increasingly chaotic, with every candidate ‘campaigning for themselves’ from the moment campaigns began.
NRM district chairperson Maj. Gen. Phinehas Katirima said the chaos stems from deep internal NRM divisions.
‘These wrangles have weakened the party’s support and left us without the resources we need,’ he said.
Sembabule RDC Jane Francis Kagayi urged party members to appreciate what the NRM has done and prioritise unity.
‘NRM members must recognise the achievements, protect the gains and stop these internal fights,’ she said.
NRM leaders from the six sub-counties echoed the call, saying internal conflicts have gravely damaged President Museveni’s vote margin.
The question now is whether the renewed force Kutesa has pledged will be enough to restore NRM’s strength in a district where almost every sub-county is embroiled in intrigue and internal disputes.