SPEAKER WARS! Flamboyant Salima Declares Political War On Tashobya in Explosive Mbarara City Showdown
Amontage of Salima Malina and Incumbent Tashobya
The political temperature in Mbarara City has hit dangerous levels after flamboyant female politician Salima Malina threw her hat into the ring to battle incumbent Speaker Bony Tashobya Karutsya in what is shaping up to be one of the fiercest speakership fights the city has ever witnessed.
The race for the powerful Speaker’s chair in the next 2026–2031 council term has already divided political camps, triggered underground lobbying, sleepless nights and intense mobilization among councilors as both camps scramble for survival in the explosive political contest.
At the center of the storm is incumbent Tashobya, who also doubles as Chairman of the Uganda Urban Speakers Association, and his fast-rising challenger Salima Malina, the Woman Councilor-elect representing South Division A.
Sources close to the political corridors of Mbarara reveal that the once-comfortable political seat Tashobya enjoyed is now shaking heavily beneath him as powerful forces allegedly line up behind Salima in a calculated mission to politically humiliate and eject him from office.
The battle has become the hottest political topic in Mbarara City as camps of the two candidates intensify secret meetings, late-night negotiations and strategic alliances to secure the numbers needed to conquer the council.
Mbarara City Council is composed of only 16 councilors plus the City Mayor, making every single vote extremely crucial in determining who takes the mighty Speaker’s chair.
Insiders claim the numbers are already causing panic in Tashobya’s camp.
As the ground currently stands, sources indicate that Tashobya has only six loyal supporters firmly behind him while Salima commands five committed supporters, leaving the remaining councilors undecided and now the main targets of aggressive political hunting.
Political observers say the undecided councilors have suddenly become the “gold mine” both camps are desperately chasing.
But beyond numbers, the race is also exposing deep political wounds and personal grudges among Mbarara’s powerful political players.
Sources allege that powerful politicians in the city, including Mp Mwine Mpaka, have allegedly abandoned Tashobya and quietly shifted support to Salima.
The alleged fallout between Tashobya and Mpaka is said to have originated during the 2021 political season when rumors spread that Tashobya was eyeing the Mbarara City South parliamentary seat against Mpaka.
Ever since, political insiders say, the relationship between the two influential figures has remained cold and suspicious.
Now sources claim the speakership race has reopened old wounds, with allegations that Mpaka is among the political masterminds fronting and mobilizing support for Salima to challenge Tashobya head-on.
Salima, however, has fiercely denied claims that she is being used by powerful political figures.
The outspoken politician insists her bid is purely personal and born out of frustration with what she calls weak leadership and disorder in the current council administration.
Currently serving as Deputy Speaker for Mbarara City South Division and Deputy Treasurer of the Uganda Urban Speakers Association, Salima says she has gathered enough leadership experience and confidence to lead the city council better than the incumbent.
Speaking boldly about her ambitions, Salima accused Tashobya of failing to effectively manage council affairs and allowing disorder to dominate proceedings.
She claimed council meetings have allegedly dragged into late evenings because of poor management and lack of order in the House.
Salima further accused the current leadership of promoting division and imbalance among councilors, arguing that some areas have allegedly been sidelined while others benefit more.
She promised that if elected Speaker, she would create a united council where every councilor is heard and treated fairly regardless of political affiliation.
“I want to thank the current speaker for the little he has delivered as Speaker of Mbarara City, but I must say he has not been good enough in presiding over council. We have had council meetings ending late because of lack of order. The current speaker has failed to ensure balance among councilors and equal service delivery to all areas. If elected speaker, I will ensure every councilor is heard and every area benefits equally. We need a united council without wars,” Salima declared.
The fierce politician also blasted critics who allegedly believe a woman cannot successfully manage the powerful city speakership office.
Without fear, Salima challenged the gender stereotypes head-on, insisting she is strong, empowered and fully capable of transforming the council.
“There are people who think that because I am a woman I cannot manage the seat of Speaker in Mbarara City. I challenge that mentality. I believe in myself, I am empowered and I have the capacity to lead and transform this council,” she fired back.
On allegations that she is merely a political project being pushed by influential figures, Salima dismissed the accusations as cheap propaganda meant to weaken her growing popularity.
“I have heard allegations that big people are pushing me into this race, but this is my own initiative. I have grown steadily through leadership from division councilor to deputy speaker and now city councilor. Nobody questioned my journey before. Why now? Even if someone supports me, it is not a crime. Politics is about support,” she said.
With camps deeply divided, alliances shifting daily and undecided councilors now under intense pressure, insiders warn that the final battle for the Speaker’s chair could produce political casualties capable of reshaping the future power structure of Mbarara City politics.
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