Katirima clinches Ssembabule NRM top seat after Minister Kawoya boycott

____________________

Maj. Gen. (rtd) Phinehas Katirima has secured the Ssembabule District NRM Party chairperson's seat following the withdrawal of his opponent, health state minister Hanifa Kawoya. The minister exited the race in protest.

Kawooya Anifah. (File/Miriam Namutebi)

Acting National Resistance Movement (NRM) party returning officer Deborah Arayo, deployed by NRM electoral commission chief Dr Tanga Odoi, officially declared Katirima the winner on August 13, 2025, at Ssembabule Playground after a contentious election held under heavy security.

The process descended into chaos when Kawoya and Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo raised concerns over voter eligibility.

Despite objections, party authorities proceeded with the election after consultations. Katirima garnered nearly 300 votes, while Kawoya’s supporters staged a walkout.

"We shall not stop this election," Arayo said.

"Kawoya is fleeing because she fears defeat." Voters had been screened by 1:00pm to prevent impersonation, a measure Kawoya later criticised as compromised.

Katirima, a Nyabitanga resident backed by former foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa and NRM Lwemiyaga flag-bearer Gen. (rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande, now turns to unifying the party.

"I will focus on reconciliation and mobilising support for President [Yoweri] Museveni ahead of 2026," he stated.

The election concluded a turbulent process: The NRM EC had postponed voting thrice previously after Kawoya abandoned an earlier attempt, alleging Police assault.

In this round, she condemned the "compromised" security and electoral setup.

Key outcomes include:

Godfrey Aine Kaguta (unopposed Mawogola North flagbearer) as vice-chairperson

Woman MP Mary Bagumisa as secretary

Shartsi Musherure (outgoing Mawogola North MP) as treasurer

Denis Ddumba for publicity

Gen. Rwashande elected unopposed as the veterans chairperson

Kutesa, the outgoing chairperson, who had urged Kawoya to step aside, called for unity, affirming she would continue serving as Health Minister and Mawogola West MP while collaborating with new leaders. Kawoya, however, remains sidelined in the party machinery she once contested.