By Maurice Matovu
Masaka, Uganda – Former Under Secretary Ronald Ssegawa Gyagenda has turned down a heartfelt plea from Masaka elders urging him to contest for the Masaka City Mayorship in the upcoming elections.
Meeting at his retirement home in Kizungu, Masaka on Thursday, May 22, 2025, the elders—under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elders League of Kimanya Parish rallied behind the experienced civil servant, hoping he would bring integrity and effective service delivery to the city’s leadership.
Ssegawa, who recently retired after 28 years of public service, was in the area following his election as Chairperson of the NRM Elders League for Kimanya Parish, part of the ongoing restructuring of party structures.
During the meeting, prominent elders, including Mrs. Safina Ndawula Nakalema and Mrs. Ruth Nakaayi Mubiru, called on him to take up a political role they believed he was more than qualified for.
“Today’s leaders are driven by greed. We need someone like Mr. Ssegawa who has the resources, experience, and clean record to serve Masaka selflessly,” said Mrs. Ndawula, also Vice Chairperson of the NRM Elders League for Kimaanya-Kabonera Division.
She lamented the loss of public assets such as taxi parks and green spaces under past leaders, emphasizing the need for elder-led leadership rooted in community service rather than personal gain.
The elders further voiced concerns about being excluded from key government programs like the Parish Development Model, attributing it to lack of representation and advocacy at leadership levels.
In response, Ssegawa appreciated their confidence in his leadership but respectfully declined the request to contest.
“Political positions have boundaries, yet the demand for service delivery does not. We need to first lay a strong foundation that unites all NRM leagues—elders, youth, women, PWDs—for true and inclusive development,” he stated.
Reflecting on his nearly three-decade public service career in ministries such as Agriculture, Health, and Energy, Ssegawa emphasized the importance of supporting government programs and empowering citizens rather than returning to political office.
“Government gave me the opportunity to serve. Now, my role is to monitor and support its programs to uplift our people’s financial capacity,” he added.
Now retired, Ssegawa is dedicating his time to private ventures, including farming, broadcasting, and entertainment.
He is the proprietor of Radio Buddu and Digida Events, both of which have become significant local employers in the country.
Despite his decision, the elders commended Ssegawa for his proactive engagement with their league, noting that no other party official had previously taken such interest in documenting and addressing their needs.
As Masaka gears up for future elections, the call for selfless and experienced leadership remains strong, whether or not Ssegawa chooses to answer it from the ballot box.
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