Drama erupts as businesswoman storms nomination centre to block ex-mayor over sh2m debt

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Chaos exploded at Masaka City’s Lukiiko Hall in Ssazza as businesswoman Hanifa Namawejje launched a brazen, last-minute ambush to block former Mayor Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo from accessing the Electoral Commission nomination centre.

The businesswoman's move on September 3, 2025, sparked a frenzied rescue mission by his supporters and a lightning-fast cash scramble to save his 2026 General Election candidacy.

Namawejje physically intercepted Kayemba (an independent candidate) moments before his nomination, demanding he settle an alleged debt. The explosive confrontation drew a swarm of Kayemba’s loyalists, including hawkers he championed during his tenure, who rushed to shield him from the standoff.

Prominent businessmen led by Henry Mulinde swiftly mobilised a war chest of close to shillings two million to resolve the debt on the spot, clearing Kayemba’s path to nomination in a dramatic 11th-hour rescue.

Kayemba, visibly rattled but defiant, branded the stunt a politically orchestrated trap: “They’re scared of my popularity! I’m a pro-people leader. You don’t plant people to ambush me over personal debts. This was a plot by my opponents.”

Double drama: Deputy mayor’s rival storms nomination centre

The chaos deepened when Esther Mutesi, infamously dubbed “Omunyarwanda wa Bobi” [National Unity Platforms (NUP) president Bobi Wine aka Kyagulanyi Ssentamu] and Masaka city deputy mayor Achillies Mawanda (NUP) crashed the venue, both claiming to be the official NUP candidate for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Councillor.

Incumbent Mayor Florence Namayanja was smoothly cleared to run for a second term. (Photo by Dismus Buregyeya)

Mutesi, waving her party card, fumed after NUP endorsed Mawanda instead: “I’m on the official list! I hold the party card and never received any notice cancelling my candidature. This is a betrayal!”

Order restored—for some

While the political firestorm raged, other heavyweights smoothly cleared nominations:

• Incumbent Mayor Florence Namayanja (NUP)
  
  
• Joseph Luswata (“Kipapali”)
  
  
• Naku Musana (Democratic Front)
  
  

As Kayemba regrouped with his newly secured nomination papers, the day’s twin scandals laid bare Masaka’s cutthroat political trenches—where debts become weapons, party loyalties ignite mutiny, and sh2 million can buy a ticket to power in 60 seconds.

Nominations

Nomination of local government council candidates started on September 3, 2025, across the country. 

The commission, which says the exercise will run till September 24, 2025, has also compartmentalised the nominations, as seen below:

• District/city chairpersons, Lord Mayor and councillors (September 3-5, 2025)
  
  
• Municipality/city division chairpersons and councillors (September 8-10, 2025)
  
  
• Municipal division chairpersons and councillors (September 11-24, 2025)
  
  
• Sub-county and town chairpersons and councillors (September 23-24, 2025)
  
  
• Presidential (September 23-24, 2025)
  
  
• Directly elected members of Parliament (October 15-16, 2025)