Masaka city Kimaanya –Kabonera Legislator Dr. Abed Bwanika’s Parliamentary seat is under threat as four powerful candidates join the race to throw him out.
Among the four candidates giving Abed Bwanika sleepless nights is a young popular Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Sembabule District Faizo Seruwagi, Counsel Jude Mbabali, Patrick Kuteesa and Kkingo coaches boss Robert Asiimwe.
Faizo Seruwagi, a member of NRM/PLU, gained popularity way back in 2006 as a young mobiliser. He became the area Youth Councilor for his home area Kimaanya at Kimaanya-Kyabakuza Division and later at Masaka City. He used the opportunity to mobilise the Youth in Kimaanya to embrace government programs other than participating in politics of hate and blackmail, not until Masaka was elevated to city status. He was so instrumental to the NRM party in Mobilising votes in all Masaka sub region districts where he exhibited his leadership Prowess.
After the 2021 election, He was then given more assignments as the Deputy RDC in different districts including Rakai until he was assigned to serve in Sembabule.
Faizo, a very humble, social, religious, political mobiliser and a darling to key members of the deep state is likely to give very hard time to Abed Bwanika, given the fact that Abed is grappling with his party (NUP) which granted him chance to enter the 11th Parliament.
“We have no potential candidate for our constituency. Kimaanaya-Kabonera is endowed with business and farming as the major economic activities. I am coming up to act as a bridge between the business community, farmers and the common people to the central government. I will visit all government ministries to lobby for opportunities for Masaka” Faizo Seruwagi said.
“I will formally seek guidance from my bosses in 2025, in case I’m granted an opportunity I will contest and if denied a chance, I will support any NRM flag bearer.” Faizo adds.
The second candidate is Mr. Patrick Kuteesa, a popular business man who showed interest in kicking out Abed Bwanika from the August house just after the 2021 elections.
Kuteesa came in with a lot of vigor when he mobilised the Youth to participate in sports activities under Kuteesa Annual Cup which attracted a lot of public attention.
Despite the fact that Kuteesa belongs to the National Unity Platform, we are not sure whether he will be the party flag bearer since other members of the NUP have already shown interest to contest for the same position. Kuteesa Patrick is a born of Kisosso village in Kimaanya-Kabonera constituency.
Jude Mbabaali, a Corporate Lawyer at Lukwago & Co. Advocates, and at M/s Mbabaali Jude & Co. Advocates, is also another powerful candidate who might cause panic to any candidate in the race.
Mbabaali, a member of the Democratic Party and former Masaka District LC5 chairperson contested on the same Parliamentary position but he lost to Abed who was favored by the 2021 Kyagulanyi wave that swept Masaka city and the neighboring districts
Together with other seasoned politicians, Jude Mbabaali recently joined the National Unity Platform and abandoned the DP which he used to refer to as a party for his ancestors to target the 2026 polls.
It is not clear whether Jude will be favored as the NUP flag bearer but he is likely to fight for the card together with Kuteesa in their party primaries, if any.
Abed Bwanika, a Ugandan veterinarian, politician and pastor, is the President of the People’s Development Party (PDP) and member of the National Unity Platform.
It is not clear on how Abed joined NUP before he resigned from his party presidency but he is popularly known these days for his verbal fights with his party bosses as he defends his longtime friend Mpuuga who is under fire for sharing the 500m service award.
Abed is also remembered for his decision to attend President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony at Kololo 2016 although he was critical of Museveni’s regime. Rumor has it that Abed is a state actor positioned in the opposition. His chances of running as the NUP flag bearer are as short as a weekend which ends after 48 hours.
Despite being one of the best performing MPs in the house plenary from the central region, he must give accountability of his performance in the constituency which seems to have no tangible results and his behavior to the NUP.
Another candidate is the Kkingo Coaches boss Mr. Robert Asiimwe (NRM) who also contested for the same position in 2021.
Robert Asiimwe, who doubles as Director of Kkingo Parents Primary School Masaka (one of the best performing schools in the region) is another serious threat to MP Abed Bwanika.
Given the known political 2021 wave, Asiimwe who was the NRM Flag bearer garnered 5,864 votes and scored the 2rd Position. This website has not gathered a lot about Mr. Asiimwe but we have learnt that he might contest in the party primaries with other members of the NRM to seek for the party flag.
During the 2021 elections, Kimaanya-Kabonera Parliamentary race had seven candidates who obtained the following number of votes respectively; Bwanika Abed (NUP) 15,341 votes, Asiimwe Robert (NRM) 5,864 votes, Kayemba Afaayo (FDC) 1,743 votes, Jude Mbabaali (DP) 688 votes, Ssimbwa John (Independent) 501 votes, Lubyayi Hassane (Independent) 360 votes and Zikusooka Herbert (independent) 229 votes.
Kimaanya- Kabonera constituency is another hotspot for the 2026 polls
