Theodore Ssekikubo, the Member of Parliament for Lwemiyaga County, has officially quit the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), citing feelings of betrayal and what he described as rampant greed within the party—an action sparked by the recent dismissal of his petition.
Following discussions with his constituents, Ssekikubo expressed that he no longer identifies with the NRM, stating that the party has alienated him to a breaking point.
“As I engage with my constituents, it has become clear that the NRM no longer represents me. They’ve driven me to the edge. I’ll be returning to my people so we can decide our next steps,” he said during a media briefing in Kampala on Wednesday.
This move brings to a head years of tension between Ssekikubo and the NRM, a party under which he has served since his entry into Parliament.
Known for his outspoken nature, Ssekikubo has often challenged the NRM leadership, frequently opposing decisions he viewed as undemocratic and condemning corruption and misuse of authority.
His most recent conflict with the party arose from a rejected petition in which he accused the leadership of violating procedural fairness.
Ssekikubo’s time in politics has been characterized by persistent clashes with the ruling establishment. One notable incident occurred in 2010 when he led a contentious attempt to censure then-Security Minister Amama Mbabazi over alleged oil-related corruption. The move set him against influential figures within the NRM.
Following this, he was subjected to disciplinary action, including suspension from party engagements, over claims of indiscipline and insubordination.
Despite these confrontations, Ssekikubo has continued to hold his parliamentary seat in Lwemiyaga, consistently presenting himself as an independent voice willing to challenge the excesses of his own party.
His resignation marks the formal end of what observers have long described as a deteriorating relationship between the MP and the NRM.
Rwashande Reacts.
Brig. Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande, a prominent NRM leader and Ssekikubo’s chief political opponent in Lwemiyaga, swiftly dismissed the resignation’s significance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rwashande referenced the NRM’s symbol, saying, “The NRM is like a bus—people may get off, but millions will get on, and the bus will keep moving. We won’t be intimidated by shape-shifters,” an apparent jibe aimed at Ssekikubo.
The statement underscores the intense political rivalry between the two, with Rwashande emerging as the NRM’s primary contender in Lwemiyaga following Ssekikubo’s exit.
