Robert Maseruka, the 89th Guild President of Makerere University, has been officially nominated to contest for the Mukono South Constituency parliamentary seat on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket.
Maseruka, who also serves as the NUP General Secretary for Mukono District, was nominated on Wednesday.
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Maseruka said his candidacy is driven by the need to bridge the growing gap between the educated and the uneducated in Mukono South — a challenge he believes has hindered development for years.
“We are losing over 3,500 children in primary schools and another 2,500 in secondary schools. Many drop out before completing their studies. If it wasn’t for education, some of us wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.
“As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. If we want to produce doctors, engineers, and teachers from Mukono South, we must first invest in education and capacity building.”
Maseruka also highlighted the urgent need to improve access to health services, noting that residents still walk long distances to reach the nearest health facilities.
“On average, people in Mukono South walk five kilometres or more to get medical attention. We want to change that by lobbying government to bring health services closer to our people,” he explained.
“It’s important to have voters, but it’s even more important to have healthy voters.”
He further pointed out that despite Mukono South’s proximity to the capital city, some areas such as Mponge Sub-county still lack electricity and other essential social services.
“It’s unbelievable that a sub-county near Kampala has never had a glimpse of electricity. We want to take the people’s voice to Parliament and ensure such injustices are corrected,” he said.
Addressing issues affecting landing sites and island communities like Kome Sub-county, Maseruka called for a review of policies governing fishing practices and for improved service delivery to island residents.
“People in island sub-counties depend on water for survival, yet they lack clean water, health centres, and schools. Before condemning fishermen for using illegal nets, government should first explain how those nets enter the country,” he argued.
“These communities deserve clean water, sanitation, and decent livelihoods — not neglect.”
Responding to critics who say he is too young to lead, Maseruka dismissed such claims as misplaced.
“You can’t blame President Museveni for staying too long and at the same time blame us for coming too early,” he said. “We are not just excited youths — we are committed, capable, and ready to serve with integrity.”
Maseruka pledged to use his experience to champion development in education, health, and social services once elected.
“We know the language of Parliament, and we will use it to make sure the people of Mukono South get the services they deserve,” he concluded.
ENDS
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