SEMBABULE DISTRICT – With just weeks remaining until the 2026 general elections, a significant political showdown is brewing in Mawogola North, Sembabule District, as Kampala-based lawyer Jet Tumwebaze has launched a bid to block the parliamentary ambitions of Sodo Aine Kaguta, the brother of President Yoweri Museveni.
The race has been thrust into the national spotlight following Tumwebaze’s public declaration, which directly questions the competence of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer. Sodo was declared unopposed in the recent NRM party primaries, seemingly clearing his path to Parliament.
However, Tumwebaze has openly challenged this outcome, centering his campaign on a critique of Sodo’s suitability for legislative duties. In a statement that has ignited debate, Tumwebaze pointedly questioned the candidate’s proficiency in the English language, the primary medium of parliamentary proceedings.
“How do you elect someone who struggles to express himself in English to Parliament, where debates and legislation are conducted in English?” Tumwebaze asked.
He elaborated on his position, acknowledging that while his opponent may possess other valuable abilities, effective representation in the national legislature demands strong oratory and debating skills. “The role of a Member of Parliament is to articulate the needs of your people, to scrutinize legislation, and to hold the government to account through robust debate. This requires a certain level of communicative competence,” Tumwebaze noted.
The challenger brings his own significant legacy to the race. Jet Tumwebaze is the son of the late NRA guerrilla fighter, Jet Tumwebaze, who died in a plane crash near the Congo border. This lineage connects him to the historical roots of the current administration, setting the stage for a contest that is as much about legacy as it is about policy and capability.
The entry of Tumwebaze ensures that the Mawogola North race will be one of the most closely watched in the country, transforming what was expected to be a straightforward coronation for Sodo Aine Kaguta into a heated political battle. The outcome will be a key indicator of the evolving political dynamics in the region.
