At 88 years old, Mr Samuel Kaggwa Ssekamwa has once again secured his place in Rakai’s political space after retaining the position of district chairperson for a second term.
The victory, announced late on January 22, 2026, by the district returning officer, Ms Deborah Asiimwe, was greeted with jubilation by supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. However, rival candidates expressed disbelief, insisting that the election was neither free nor fair.
Mr Ssekamwa’s win followed a strong performance by the NRM in Rakai District, where the ruling party swept all three parliamentary seats. Ms Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama retained the Woman Member of Parliament seat, Mr Gyaviira Ssemwanga won Buyamba County, and Mr Didas Tayebwa Kabumbuza took Kooki County.
Several political observers argue that the incumbent’s success owed less to an energetic grassroots campaign and more to the consolidation of state-aligned forces behind him. Civil servants at the district headquarters and in lower local governments are said to have played a subtle but influential role by mobilising support for Mr Ssekamwa within their communities.
‘These are people who control information and influence at village level,’ said a political analyst in Rakai Town Council, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. ‘Once civil servants take sides, the contest ceases to be free and fair,’ the analyst added. Opposition candidates in the district chairperson race were quick to raise concerns. Mr Alexander Mackay Muhinda, one of Mr Ssekamwa’s challengers, claimed that the electoral system was compromised throughout the process.
‘The whole system is corrupt-from polling agents to top officials, including security personnel,’ Mr Muhinda said. ‘What was delivered to the returning officer was not what was recorded at polling stations,’ he added.
Mr Muhinda said he personally moved with his agents to monitor voting at about 30 polling stations across Ddwaniro, Lwanda, Kasankala, Kagamba sub-counties and Rakai Town Council. According to him, voter turnout was visibly low. He said he was, therefore, shocked when the district returning officer later announced turnout figures ranging between 300 and 500 voters at some of the same polling stations.
‘I wondered where these voters came from,’ he said, adding that his agents’ tally sheets did not tally with the announced results. Despite the gravity of the allegations, none of the aggrieved candidates indicated plans to challenge the results in court, citing a lack of confidence in the justice system and the prospect of prolonged legal battles. Mr Ssekamwa dismissed claims of malpractice, insisting that his victory reflected the will of the people of Rakai.
‘The election was free and fair,’ he said shortly after being declared winner. ‘People voted for me overwhelmingly because they trust my leadership.’
NRM supporters echoed his sentiments, portraying him as an elder statesman rather than a power-hungry politician. ‘Mzee is not looking for wealth; he wants dignity and to serve his people. That is why we trust him,’ said Ms Josephine Nakigoye, a resident of Lwamaggwa Sub-county. However, critics say the election has once again raised questions about the role of state machinery, the credibility of voter turnout figures and the shrinking space for competitive local politics.
During the 2021 race, Mr Ssekamwa ran as an independent and narrowly defeated the NRM flag bearer, Mr Godfrey Bajungu, with 22,518 votes against 22,286.