Kampala City Mayor and president of Peoples Front for Freedom (PFF) Erias Lukwago has rallied behind Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, as he seeks to retain his seat in the 12th Parliament .
On Wednesday ,Ssewanyana during a rally at St. Peter’s Nsambya in Kampala officially announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the January polls after his party National Unity Platform (NUP) denied him the ticket .
Ssewanyana, who represented Makindye West for a decade from 2011 to 2026, expressed frustration over the party’s decision to award the flag to Kampala City Speaker Zahara Luyirika who did not compete for it.Luyirika had earlier sought the ticket for Kampala District Woman MP which was given to the incumbent MP Shamim Malende .
“I was persecuted, embarrassed, beaten, mistreated and imprisoned,” Ssewanyana said, reflecting on his past challenges.
“It hurts me that I was denied the NUP card yet I was planning to use this term to work for the people of Makindye since I spent the whole of last term in prison.”
Ssewanyana together with late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya were arrested and incarcerated months after election in 2021 over reports that they participated in the infamous machete attacks in Masaka sub region that left over 20 people dead.
The MP, known for his vocal opposition stance, emphasized his commitment to the constituency despite the setback. “I can’t be out of parliament. How do you expect me to survive?” he remarked.
He also criticised the NUP’s vetting process, stating, “I have never seen the results to know why I was denied the party ticket.”
Ssewanyana’s move follows a similar path taken by other opposition figures, though he remains focused on addressing local issues like infrastructure and community welfare that he has championed over his 10-year tenure.