How Voters have Joined Bashir Ssemakula‘s Journey to replace Kayemba in Bukomansimbi South
The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) / National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s devoted mobiliser, Bashir Ssemakula’s acts of humility, generosity and hard work have earned him a place in the hearts of the people of the Bukomansimbi South in Greater Masaka region.
The constituency is currently represented by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Kayemba Geofrey Ssolo, whom voters accuse of riding of the NUP popularity to abandon his role with a purported that he will return to parliament by the ‘wave’.
Others who have expressed interest to uproot Kayemba from Parliament include; Mubiru Arthur Cherry (NUP), former area MP Deogratius Kiyingi, Eva Birimukatonda (NUP), Kagimu Kiwanuka Maurice, among others.
Ssemakula, who contested in the previous elections as the ruling NRM flag bearer in Bukomansimbi south, has however received much support and is being asked by several stakeholders who include religious leaders, business community, cultural and opinion leaders among others to save them and rescue the constituency come 2026.
‘’ We all know the four major roles of a Member of Parliament; Legislation, Budget Approval/Appropriation, Oversight, Representation, MPs bring to the attention of relevant Ministers different matters of national concern, holding consultative meetings with their constituents, to update them on the activities of Parliament and government policies, and gather their views and concerns on issues, which affect their livelihood. Unfortunately, Bukomansimbi south is now politically orphaned as the current leadership seems uncertain about their roles’’, said one of the opinion leaders from Butenga.
Voters claim that they see members of parliament from other constituencies lobbying to empower their communities both from government as partners, a matter which has been a mere dream in Bukomansimbi after the 2021 general elections.
‘’ If we were cursed, it is high time we use our tool to cleanse ourselves as voters which is the ballot come 2026 so that we liberate Bukomansimbi. We have been empowered severally by Ssemakula through his empowerment programs to youths ,women ,villages groups , in education and health , promoting talents through sports among others yet he has not been in office .How about when we give him a five year mandate ?’’, asked another resident from Kaganda.
Even after the unsuccessful election in 2021, Ssemakula has restlessly continued to lobby for Bukomasimbi south and remained vocal of regional and National issues, which prompted Gen.Muhoozi Kainerugaba to appoint him the coordinator for Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in the area.
Ssemakula’s skillfully mobilization has been exhibited severally, including the recent public Baraza at Masaka Liberation square in Masaka city, other PLU and NRM events in greater Masaka , religious and cultural events among others.
In areas of health, education, sports, several community fundraising galas, mobilizing public to embrace government programs among others, Ssemakula has been vibrant and many see him as an icon of transformation and a voice for greater Masaka and Bukomansimbi in particular.
During the last elections, Bukomansimbi South county parliamentary race had nine candidates who obtained the following results respectively; Kayemba Solo (NUP-winner) 9,200 votes, Kagimu Kiwanuka Maurice (Independent) 4,072 votes, Semakula Bashir (NRM) 3,787 votes, Kiyingi Deogratius (DP) 2,955 votes, Naluwuge Annet (Independent) 487 votes, Mulindwa Andrew (Independent) 328 votes, Birimukatonda Eva Noah (Independent) 321 votes and Sebukomo Julius (FDC) 33 votes.
Greater Masaka includes 12 districts, namely; Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kyotera, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Rakai and Ssembabule.a