Ssegirinya’s widow joins Kawempe North MP race after NUP dumps late Hon’s PA Luwemba

The widow of late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, Ms Twahira Akandinda Ssegirinya has officially declared her candidacy for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat, a position that fell vacant with the death of her husband on January 9, 2025.

Akandinda, 30, who had initially not expressed interest to continue her late husband’s legacy announced Thursday that she will run on the independent ticket, just days after the opposition National Unity chose Elias Nalukoola as its party flag bearer at the expense of Muhammad ‘Alex’ Lussa Luwemba, the former Personal Assistant of the lateSsegirinya.

Speaking to the press from her home in Kawempe, Ms Akandinda expressed confidence in her ability to represent Mpererwe, emphasizing her commitment to improved healthcare, socio-economic transformation, and youth empowerment.

“I am the perfect choice for Kawempe,” she said, adding that her decision was not supported by many and was motivated by selfish gains.

Akandinda plans to leverage her international connections, particularly in the Netherlands and the United States, to sustain and expand the projects initiated by her late husband.

“I am still in connection with the international community, who could support us, in countries like the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA), to maintain all the projects the late Ssegirinya left,” she said. “I will also introduce the new projects for example mobile clinics, and technical Institutions in many parishes of Kawempe.”

A resident of Mpererwe, Akandinda holds a certificate in teaching grade three from Bwera Primary Teachers College and has taught at various schools, including Uganda Martyrs P/S-Mpererwe and Dream Africa Schools Gayaza branch. She has since transitioned to a career in business.

With just thirteen days to the official nomination period set by the Electoral Commission (February 26–27), competition for the Kawempe North seat is heating up. Three candidates from the Democratic Party (DP) Ms. Shakirah Najjukka, John-Bosco Mayinja, and Claudius Katamba have also expressed interest.

DP electoral coordinator Mr. Kennedy Mutenyo announced that the party will soon unveil its official flagbearer, who will join an already competitive race featuring; NUP’s Erias Nalukoola, NRM’s Faridah Nambi, FDC’s Sadat Mukiibi, and independent learning, Twahirah Akandinda Ssegirinya, Hanifah Karadi, Mohamood Mutazindwa, and Fahad Kayondo.