Mukono – Former Mukono Municipality NRM parliamentary candidate and ex-district chairman, Andrew Ssenyonga, has vowed not to abandon his political ambitions despite surviving a brutal assault during last month’s party primaries.
Ssenyonga, who spent weeks receiving treatment in hospitals in both Uganda and Kenya, describes his survival as “a testimony of God’s plan” and proof that his political journey must continue.
On July 17, he was allegedly beaten by police officers from Mukono District Police Division following tensions at the tally center.
Witnesses said chaos erupted when his supporters questioned delays and possible tampering with results from Goma Division.
Ssenyonga claims he was beaten unconscious alongside his brother, Rauben Ssenyonjo, and several supporters.
“I went through four hospitals — from Namirembe to Mengo, then Kampala Hospital where I was in ICU for three days, and finally to Aga Khan in Nairobi,” he recalled. “Doctors and nurses saved my life. Even when social media pronounced me dead, here I am, alive.”
The former candidate insists he had no personal grievances with the district police commander but suspects “political influence and jealousy” fueled the attack.
Petition to Tribunal
Ssenyonga says his team has filed a petition before the NRM Tribunal, challenging what he calls “blatant manipulation” of results in Mukono Municipality.
“In Central Division, four villages alone returned over 2,200 votes out of a total of 2,400 — yet the division has 41 villages,” he noted. “Figures were inflated from tens to hundreds, from hundreds to thousands. If those anomalies are investigated, it is clear I won.”
He is demanding a fresh election rather than being declared winner by the tribunal, saying a rerun would allow voters to settle the matter without suspicion.
Although he maintains loyalty to the ruling party, Ssenyonga accused some district leaders of betrayal.
“Those I considered friends — party leaders even — never checked on me in hospital. Instead, they mocked me online. That makes me suspect some of them were behind the violence,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment that the NRM did not contribute to his medical bills. “I went through very expensive hospitals, but by God’s grace, I have no debt. The party did nothing,” he added.
Call for Candidate Safety
Ssenyonga’s campaign supervisor, also the newly elected Goma Division NRM flag bearer, Hannington Kabugo Tamale, corroborated his account, saying police brutality marred the tallying process.
“Police arrested the Goma registrar before results were declared, causing panic. When we tried to inquire, the DPC ordered police to beat us. Journalists, candidates, and even voters were assaulted. Our candidate was badly beaten and dumped in a trench,” Tamale said.
He urged the creation of a special election security unit to protect candidates and supporters regardless of political affiliation.
District NRM Response
However, Mukono NRM chairperson Hajji Harunah Ssemakula dismissed Ssenyonga’s claims, urging him and other losers to accept defeat.
“Politics is service, not a career,” Ssemakula argued. “The results were referred to Kampala and a winner declared. We cannot allow individuals to destabilize the party. Ssenyonga should reconcile and serve within the NRM.”
He further accused Ssenyonga of “criminal interference” for storming police offices on polling night in a bid to secure the release of the Goma registrar.
The Road Ahead
Despite the bitter fallout, Ssenyonga insists he will remain in the NRM and continue his campaign for Mukono Municipality.
He has organized a thanksgiving service on August 30 in Mukono, to be led by Pastor Robert Kayanja, in celebration of his survival.
“I invite all the people of Mukono to join me in thanking God for my life,” he said.
As the NRM Tribunal reviews his petition, Ssenyonga maintains that only the people’s will should prevail.
“If they are not satisfied, let us have a rerun. That will show who is who in Mukono Municipality. But as it stands, I am the one who took it.”
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