Stella Nyanzi’s Man David Musiri Recalls How Ssemakadde Rescued Him from Makerere Expulsion, Accuses University Students of Prioritizing Sex Over Struggle for Uganda’s Future

By Ben Musanje

Former Makindye West parliamentary candidate David Musiri has recalled how embattled Uganda Law Society president Isaac Ssemakadde helped him challenge his suspension from Makerere University, while accusing university students of prioritizing sex and relationships over the struggle for Uganda’s future.

Musiri, who previously defected from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to the Democratic Front (DF) after failing to secure the NUP ticket for Makindye West, made the remarks during the 39th RNBLive2026 weekly hybrid press and public engagement organized by the Radical New Bar at the ULS House in Kampala.

A former Makerere University student leader and president general of the Student Brotherhood, Musiri said legal assistance from Ssemakadde and lawyer Aaron Kiiza was instrumental in supporting him during his troubles at the university.

“I was suspended from Makerere University, and because of the legal aid provided by counsel Isaac Ssemakadde by then, 2017, 2018, 2019, plus counsel Aaron Kiiza,” Musiri said.

He praised the lawyers for standing with him during a difficult period marked by student activism and repeated suspensions. Musiri eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce External degree after an eight-year academic journey.

Musiri also expressed concern about the state of justice in Uganda, describing Kiiza as a victim of what he termed the rule by law rather than the rule of law.

Beyond recounting his personal experiences, Musiri used the engagement to challenge young Ugandans to become more politically conscious and actively organize against what he described as oppression and repression.

He accused university students of spending too much time on romantic relationships and sexual activities instead of participating in the struggle to improve the country’s political and economic future.

“You students, apart from coupling in those universities where you are, and having sex every time, what you have, but you have something to protect,” he said, urging them to recognize that their future and that of the next generation depended on their actions.

Musiri argued that young people had a significant stake in Uganda’s political direction, particularly as they bear the consequences of rising prices and economic hardships.

He called for collective action, saying citizens should support one another whenever activists are arrested, abducted or subjected to intimidation.

“If they arrest Aporojo here or Lewis, or Prosper and you sit in your house, the day they will come for you, no one will be there to arrest you,” he said, emphasizing the importance of solidarity.

To illustrate his argument, Musiri referred to Gene Sharp’s book, From Dictatorship to Democracy, recounting a story about monkeys who eventually questioned their keeper’s authority and refused to continue working for him after realizing he did not own the forest from which they collected fruits.

He said the lesson was that citizens should question systems of authority and recognize their collective power rather than surrendering to fear.

Musiri also invoked historical African leaders, including Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Patrice Lumumba and Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara, as examples of figures associated with political struggle and ideological conviction.

He encouraged young people to study political ideology and reggae music, particularly Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, which he said carried lessons about liberation and changing people’s mindsets.

The activist further questioned the accountability, principles and objectives of political formations he accused of exploiting citizens, arguing that political organizations should be transparent about their registration, leadership and policies.

He warned that Uganda could risk developing into a political dynasty if citizens failed to defend constitutional principles, particularly the principle that sovereign power belongs to the people.

Musiri concluded by urging young Ugandans to take responsibility for shaping the country’s future, insisting that meaningful political change required organisation, ideological clarity and collective action. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).