By Ben Musanje
Newly elected Butambala County Member of Parliament, Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi, has given a detailed account of the tense, violent and emotionally draining political journey that led to his dramatic victory over the outgoing area MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the National Unity Platform Vice President for Buganda, in what has become one of the most controversial parliamentary races in Uganda’s recent political history.
While appearing on Kasuku Live YouTube show hosted by vlogger Isaac Katende alias Kasuku, Mukiibi explained that his victory was not just against one individual candidate but against an entire political structure that had for years dominated the constituency through intimidation, propaganda and organized fear, noting that the election environment forced him to fight on multiple fronts at the same time.
Mukiibi revealed that throughout the campaign period he faced intense personal attacks that went far beyond normal political criticism, explaining that he, his parents, relatives, campaign teams and even his personal property were subjected to ridicule and insults meant to weaken his morale and discourage his supporters, yet he chose to remain focused on mobilizing voters rather than responding to provocations.
He further narrated that violence became a common feature of the campaign trail, especially in areas such as Bulo Sub-county where groups of young people wearing his campaign T-shirts were allegedly attacked by supporters of the incumbent, while some of his open supporters, including a man identified as Alfa, were reportedly rounded-up and beaten simply for expressing political preference, creating an atmosphere of fear that made many voters hesitant to openly declare their support.
According to Mukiibi, the growing public dissatisfaction with Kivumbi became more visible when National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi visited the area, during which residents reportedly thanked the party leadership for elevating Kivumbi to a regional position but openly expressed their desire to have new leadership in Parliament, a moment Mukiibi described as a clear sign that political loyalty in Butambala had shifted.
He explained that the incumbent MP underestimated the strength of grassroots mobilization and treated him as a political underdog, wrongly assuming that the election outcome could be influenced through familiar networks and institutional connections, yet many residents privately assured him of their support while expressing fear that the results might be manipulated as had been alleged in previous elections.
Mukiibi described election day and the hours that followed as some of the most dangerous moments of his political life, revealing that his team struggled to secure Declaration of Results forms from all 169 polling stations amid reports that groups of youths had been mobilized to intercept and steal the documents, particularly in hotspot areas, forcing his supporters to move carefully and coordinate secretly to ensure the results were protected.
By early evening, he said, his team had completed verification of the results and confirmed his victory, but the announcement was soon followed by chaos after the losing camp reportedly refused to accept the outcome, leading to violent confrontations around the tally center where several vehicles were vandalized, gunshots were reportedly fired and panic spread among election officials and civilians.
He further revealed that he personally experienced the danger when he was resting inside a parked vehicle near the tally center and suddenly found himself in the middle of gunfire, later learning that at least five people had lost their lives during the clashes while several others were arrested, turning what should have been a moment of celebration into a night of mourning and shock for the district.
Following the violence, Mukiibi noted that Kivumbi was arrested and later charged under terrorism-related laws, after authorities accused him and his alleged associates of organizing coordinated attacks on public facilities including the Butambala tally center and Kibibi Police Station, allegations that have since sparked national debate and attracted wide political attention.
He pointed out that while losing elections is a normal part of democratic competition, the refusal to accept defeat peacefully only worsened the situation in Butambala, contrasting the events with other opposition figures like the outgoing Kamapal Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kira Municipality M Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda who conceded their losses without triggering violence.
Addressing claims that his campaign was funded by powerful government figures, Mukiibi clarified that although Ramathan Ggoobi, the Secretary to the Treasury and also Permanent Secretary for Finance Ministry, is his half-brother, he did not receive financial support from him, explaining that his relative’s public position made it impossible for him to openly participate in partisan politics, while also dismissing rumors linking his campaign to Gen Salim Saleh, NRM Vice Chairperson Hajji Moses Kigongo and other senior government figures.
He further emphasized that financial muscle alone cannot secure electoral victory, explaining that his political preparation began as early as 2021 when he left journalism and focused on grassroots mobilization, community engagement and voter education, activities he said helped people gradually discover his leadership potential and build trust in his political message.
Looking ahead, Mukiibi stated that his priority in Parliament will be to advocate for human rights, press freedom and community-centered development, noting that his background in journalism has shaped his belief that leadership should be measured by the impact it has on people’s daily lives rather than the power it displays.
The Butambala parliamentary contest, which started as a routine rural election, has now evolved into one of the most politically significant post-election developments in the country, marking both the end of Kivumbi’s long parliamentary dominance and the beginning of a new leadership era under Mukiibi. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
