Ssegirinya’s family divided over Clash Kawempe North Race

The family of the late Ugandan MP Muhammad Ssegirinya has become a battleground in the Kawempe North by-election, with his relatives backing rival candidates.

Ssegirinya’s mother, Justine Ssanyu Nakajumba, and some of his widows are rallying behind Alex Muhammad Lusswa Luwemba, his former political assistant. Meanwhile, others—including widow Twahira Akandinda—are supporting National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Erias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola.

Akandinda had initially planned to contest as an independent but stepped down in favor of Nalukoola for the sake of party unity.

However, another widow, Mariam Nakabuye, alias Maama Nagirinya, has criticized her co-wives for backing Nalukoola, accusing him of failing to stand with Ssegirinya. Nakabuye has since joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and thrown her support behind the party’s candidate, Faridah Nambi Kigongo.

With the by-election set for Thursday and 10 candidates in the race, divisions within Ssegirinya’s family have fueled tensions, with some relatives accusing each other of betraying his legacy.