Lord Mayor Lukwago: The True Master of Ceremonies

It is official that Erias Lukago is running yet again for Lord Mayor of Kampala. A title and an office he has held since 2011. He has been impeached twice and been the target of the state. The whole state apparatus has shifted and clipped the wings of the Lord Mayor. The creation of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with the mandates of Executive Director and Minister of Kampala has taken away the power and prestige of the Lord Mayor. However, that hasn’t stopped Lukwago from seeking it.

He has done so on the flag of the Democratic Party (DP), as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and now as People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). Different parties and different banners, but the same man. The one who defied the state and stood resilient against it. Nevertheless, is it a time to say goodbye?

The Counsel and former Member of Parliament, the man who has represented Kampala for so long. Is there a time to give way and let another take the mantle?

Maybe, especially, when a brother who has complained about the overstaying and the prolonged agony of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That’s when you know your principles and your moral backbone isn’t that strong. Especially, when the same rhetoric and bounds doesn’t apply to your own self.

Lord Mayor Lukwago should reconsider this, as he has been doing this and he should let other people run the city. He should let other people become the Master of Ceremonies and get into the position of ceremonial leader of Kampala. Just so they can feel the pinch and the structure that is built against the elected officials. The creation of KCCA and the Ministry, which holds a chokehold over the elected leadership of the city. That’s what he should do and then the new leaders could reflect on it. They could understand the plight and the problems associated with the role. Unless, his selfish act of resilience for personal gains.

Lord Mayor Lukwago looks like a man who fights for himself and his own when he does for this long. When he ringfence the position and office. Instead of letting other people go ahead. He could seek other pastures and be resolved there. Be a prominent lawyer and a renegade on the sidelines. Maybe not as public, but still he would be recognized for his efforts. Just look at Eron Kiiza and how his name rings bells.

Well, Lukwago has his personal reasons for continuing to be fight for this position. An office he has held over an decade and will soon have for two if his elected on a fourth term. There is time for him to let go. Not because it’s time for the National Unity Platform (NUP) to have it, but because Lukwago himself must reflect on his own legacy.

If he pursuits this now. A selfish leader who doesn’t let anyone become a successor and then his no different than the dictator he has claimed to fight. It is time for his stop and reflect on that. He can tell stories and tell how it was fighting the system. The former Lord Mayor can explain how he fought and what needs to be done. However, if he continues… things will just be more of the same and we cannot see any changes. Peace.

RDC: Collectif de Victimes de l’Agression Rwandaise (CVAR-ONGDH) – Communique de Presse No. 021 (04.09.2025)

Opinion: Latif Ssebagala never learns

Some people who have represented people for over two decades. Those should be able to realize and connect with people. Latif Ssebagala was already in Parliament in 2001 and his final year in office was in 2021. However, since then… he has struggled with relevance and the ability to reconnect.

Latif has lost it. The whole 2020 run for Lord Mayor and dropping out just showed this true opportunistic face. We had already seen the same when he first stood by Amama Mbabazi to later see how popular Dr. Kizza Besigye was ahead of the 2016 General Election.

The former DP Member of Parliament who left the party for the NUP. Who later stood down as a candidate in loyalty to Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. That man has now lost again. A man who didn’t even get the NUP Party Card to stand as a NUP Kawempe Division Mayor. He wasn’t even eligible there, and that’s not shocking either. Especially, since he burned the party in 2020 ahead of the 2021. Why would the party risk a renegade like this again?

We know that Latif went ahead as an Independent in the race for MP for Kawempe North in 2021. The same is most likely happening in regard to Kawempe Division Mayor too. Since the NUP party isn’t issuing the card or the position for him. Meaning, he will challenge the candidates that the party puts forward. Just like last time. Even then they gave him the trusted Lord Mayor flagbearer, but he ditched out and left the party out without a candidate ahead of the polls. That’s why someone else got picked and took the mantle from him.

The former MP knows this game. He knows it well. Latif has run campaigns and been scavenging for ballots. That’s not something new for him. No, he has done this since early 2000s. This is his career and his livelihood.

You cannot play the same sort of games and expect a different result. This man has played the same scheme and thought he could get away with it. Using the NUP and hoping they would get fooled by him. Latif has thought it was a easy bargain, but he wasn’t able to fool anyone. That’s why he didn’t get the party card and the ability to run as an NUP flagbearer this time either.

They tried that in 2020, and it backfired. That’s why the party is wise in not accepting him now. The flip flopping of the former MP hasn’t helped him either. That’s why people don’t trust him and why should they?

He can one moment stand by the side of Mbabazi and the next Besigye. One moment being hardliner and renegade for the People Power, but later step aside for Lukwago. Meanwhile, he could face late Mr. Update after stepping down as an Independent. So, the total unity as opposition wasn’t true either. Therefore, we can just wonder what he will do now.

If he runs as Independent again. Surely, he isn’t a loyal dude and neither is he trustworthy. As his only his own keeper and wants to safeguard himself first. That’s who Latif is and we can all see it coming. Peace.

RDC: Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) – Communique Officiel (04.09.2025)

Ghana: Economic Fighters League (EFL) – Economic Fighters League Statement on the Removal of Chief Justice Gerturde Torkonoo (02.09.2025)

Tanzania: Platform for African Democrats (PAD) open letter to President Samia Suluhu Hassan (01.09.2025)

Ethiopia: The Raya Heritage Foundation letter to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed (31.08.2025)

RDC: Jeunesse Avenir du Congo – Communique de la Jeunesse Avenir du Congo (01.09.2025)

South Sudan: J-1 needs a backup plan for oil exports

Every drop of oil must translate into development, jobs, investment, and opportunities for all South Sudanese” – Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel (01.08.2025).

It is time that the elites and the ones in office in Juba takes account the internal conflict of Sudan. As it stifles it’s development and stability. Not only is the conflict costing in lives, but in the future and stability of the fragile economy of the Republic.

J-1 and the inner-circle brokers needs to reflect on the future and find new measures. They need to find funding, international backing and assurances of projects, which gives them a second option if things are getting worse in Sudan. The conflict of Sudan is only causing more harm. Khartoum aren’t able to ensure the oil-pipelines and the export of crude oil from South Sudan. That will hurt the economy and the inflation will only rise. The already stagnate and lack of improved finances will only get from bad to worse.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel needs to recalibrate and find new means to an end. If it is ensuring the international banks and multi-national organizations are willing to back a pipeline to Lamu Port, Kenya. If not find some sort of financing for pipelines through Ethiopia into Djibouti. Because the way things are right now. The elites and the ones in power needs to have a back-up plan and that quickly.

Juba cannot trust Khartoum or Port Sudan to save itself. They aren’t capable or have the capacity to secure the crude oil from South Sudan to enter the world markets. That isn’t the priority for Al-Burhan or the ones fighting Hemeti. Therefore, Kiir has to choose another partner and get his ducks in a row.

South Sudan cannot just trust one brother. They need other brothers to at their aide. Especially, when this is the massive part of the revenue of the state and where it gets currency to live. The state needs the petrodollars and everyone knows it. So, Juba and J-1 has an urgency to step up its game and find new ways of exporting the crude oil. The conflict in Sudan should be lesson for South Sudan. As it is fragile and in the mercy of Sudan. They are bound by the actions and the inner works of Sudan. South Sudan as of now is bound by the fate of whoever runs Sudan and what path they choose. That’s not the choice of the people of South Sudan or the leadership of Juba. No, that’s because of old ways of doing things and historical factors, which is haunting the halls of Juba. Therefore, Juba needs to reflect and try to navigate in these treacherous waters.

Juba has no time to loose. They have to act. They need to make conferences and use their diplomatic efforts to secure memorandums of understandings, also possible assurances of securing the possibility of pipelines being built. As it is all bound by greed and the possible profits of transport of the goods across the Republics. That will not only benefit South Sudan, but also the other host-nations. As they are getting revenue too out of it and a new source of income. Instead of having one way of entering the world markets.

South Sudan deserves better. Sudan cannot save it now. The ones in-charge in Juba has to use their means and to an end. That’s if they are worried about their future and possible tax-revenue on the crude oil. This is something they should be concerned about, because it is a life-line that can be put on hold again. Because two generals has decided to fight to the end. An end that costs and continuously hurts South Sudan too. Peace.

Opinion: Kadaga’s time was up

It is hard to imagine, but the Member of Parliament since 1989 and Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga isn’t valued or a necessity for the National Resistance Movement. That’s why she lost to the current speaker, Anita Among to become a part of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC). It speaks volumes that she lost so brutally and in such a fashion.

Kadaga has been main stay and been in the inner-circle of power. She has held massive influence and been a vital support of the party. As an individual she has used her office and her mandates to enforce the will of the President. Not matter what cause and what effect it might have on the Republic. She has done it and diligently done so…

That’s why this week loss of the NRM CEC seat is a telling sign. Kadaga is possibly trying to process what went down and how humiliating this is. As Among took over her spot, not only in Parliament as the speaker, but now in the CEC too. She is the heir to her throne and that must hurt.

Kadaga has done everything in her power to serve and collect. She has ensured questionable legislation through the chambers. As speaker she has pushed the envelope and secured the longevity of the President. There has been no cause that hasn’t been to dire or where she did what the President said she needed to do. Therefore, she never expected to be used and dumped. However, that is the case now.

The long serving loyalist, Kadaga, never thought this day would come. Her time is up and she’s supposed to never retire. She was supposed to retain her office and it was earned. Nevertheless, the President doesn’t seem to care or isn’t concerned. Kadaga did what he needed and now her influence is reduced to nearly nowhere.

That got to sting. For someone who could order soldiers into the chambers of the Parliament and clear out the dissidents of the state. For someone who could try to enforce and enact the first Anti-Gay law. That’s what she’s been doing and she has pushed whatever button the President asked her to do. Therefore, she never anticipated or was mentally prepared for the loss of this week.

Kadaga is greedy, as she is holding plenty of offices and wants to retain the seat in Parliament regardless. That’s why she wanted to keep the office in the CEC too. As she’s used to this and been a natural part of the party in this way. Now she’s being slowly faced out and becoming obsolete. That got to sting…

Certainly, there isn’t anything saying she won’t return to Parliament. That’s something she has managed to do since 1989. However, being an MP is just one part of the bargain. Now that she lost the role in the CEC. We know that’s a sign of what to come. The party and the President aren’t in need of her services. She did her duty and served, now she’s no longer needed. That’s a compelling case and shows that some people can never do enough. There is always a need for more and they can’t think Kadaga can serve as swiftly as she did in the past.

This just shows that someone can show blind loyalty to their master and be ditched the moment they are no longer useful. Kadaga should have seen the writing on the wall. Her heir is in Among and it’s been visible for a long time now. She has taken her place and Kadaga is old news. There is nothing new Kadaga can do or be able to sell.

No, Kadaga has served and now she isn’t useful anymore. That’s just a fact at this point. If she had the power and the prestige, if she had the influence and the sway. She wouldn’t be out in the cold and accept defeat. No, she would be in the CEC and be where she thought she belonged. However, they don’t see the use of her.

That’s why sooner or later, she will lose everything else. The seat in Parliament, the Office in the Cabinet and whatever else that is beneficial for her now. Kadaga is on the way for a forced retirement.

Rebecca Kadaga doesn’t see that herself, but everyone from the outside can. They can see that she is outsmarted and outplayed. She doesn’t have the weaponry or the finesse to pull it off. That’s why the President prefers Among and knows that she will ensure the longevity.

Kadaga didn’t retain the role of speaker and got demoted. Now she got demoted from CEC. We just know the next is in line. Time will tell, but her story isn’t over yet. It will just be painful to watch and that the lady isn’t reflecting on how it looks from outside. For Kadaga this should be embarrassing and she should have bowed out in grace. Instead she got beaten and now has to retool her approach. Because that is necessary and if she doesn’t see that.

Well, her future will be grim and she will lose even more in the public eye. There is a time and place for everything. Right now the time is up for Kadaga and now it the turn for Among. Peace.