Nakaseke South MP Paul Luttamaguzi Ssemakula was on Thursday forced to flee a government function in Luwero District after angry National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters threatened to assault him.
The drama unfolded at Bulawula Village along the Kasana–Lugogo–Timuna road, a major route connecting Luwero and Nakaseke districts that recently became impassable after floods washed away culverts.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Luwero Triangle, district leaders, and residents had gathered to launch emergency rehabilitation works.
Both Luttamaguzi and his political rival, NRM candidate Charles Nsereko Basajjassubi, had been invited to witness the launch. However, chaos erupted the moment Luttamaguzi arrived.
Nsereko’s supporters immediately objected to his presence, accusing him of “blackmailing government” and attacking leaders instead of focusing on service delivery.
The supporters insisted that Luttamaguzi should not take part in what they described as a key government programme.
Efforts by Nsereko and Nakaseke NRM District Chairperson Muhammad Gubya to calm them failed, while Luwero LC5 Chairperson Erastus Kibirango looked on as tensions heightened.
Realising the situation was deteriorating, Luttamaguzi opted to leave and was escorted by police officers to his vehicle. Speaking from his car, he told reporters that the function had been “politicised” and that he chose to withdraw for the sake of peace.
After his departure, speaker after speaker criticised Luttamaguzi for his alleged abusive remarks toward NRM leaders, including President Yoweri Museveni, during radio talk shows and public appearances.
Nakaseke District Woman MP Sarah Najjuma—whom Luttamaguzi has previously attacked verbally—praised supporters for ejecting him, saying he was “lucky” the crowd was non-violent.
She cited a recent incident in which Katikamu South MP candidate Abubaker Kalume was reportedly assaulted by supporters of NUP’s Hassan Kirumira Lukaalidde at a funeral, arguing that the opposition often unleashes violence at public events.
State Minister for Luwero Triangle Alice Kaboyo later officially launched the emergency road works and urged residents to vote NRM, arguing that only ruling party leaders can effectively follow up government pledges.
“Opposition leaders can only abuse the President on radio talk shows,” Kaboyo said. “Vote for NRM leaders who can reach President Museveni and ensure your issues are addressed.”
Government is injecting Shs 200 million into the temporary rehabilitation works, to be executed by the Ministry of Works together with district technical teams. Permanent upgrades for the affected section are expected in the next financial year.
The Kasana–Lugogo–Timuna road has been impassable for months, crippling transport and economic activity. District leaders from Nakaseke and Luwero recently asked the Ministry of Works to take over the 12.5km road, citing inadequate funding at district level.
Racheal Ngozebwa, Commissioner for Road Maintenance, advised them to formally file the request for further consideration.
