Mukono District Chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome has claimed that he once facilitated a meeting between Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze Bakireke and President Yoweri Museveni, a claim the outspoken opposition legislator has strongly denied.
Speaking during a meeting with residents in Katosi Town Council on Tuesday, Lukooya said he helped Nambooze gain access to President Museveni but did not disclose when or where the meeting allegedly took place, the purpose of the meeting, or what was discussed.
“I took her to meet the President, but I do not know what their relationship is today because my role ended after connecting them,” Lukooya said.
The district chairperson also offered to facilitate a meeting between Mukono South Member of Parliament Robert Maseruka and President Museveni should the legislator express interest.
Lukooya said that, unlike what he claimed happened with Nambooze, he would not publicly reveal the arrangement after helping Maseruka meet the President.
While making his remarks, Lukooya cited a Luganda proverb: “Omuwa butwa alina ky’alya tabulako gw’atta,” literally translated as, “A poison giver with bait never lacks victims.” The context in which he used the proverb was not immediately clear.
However, Nambooze rejected Lukooya’s claims, describing them as false and accusing the district chairperson of attempting to drag her name into political debates.
In a statement issued after Lukooya’s remarks, Nambooze said the district chairperson was trying to divert attention by mentioning her name while addressing residents in Katosi.
“They are spending sleepless nights because of Nambooze,” she said.
Nambooze denied ever asking Lukooya to arrange a meeting with President Museveni, insisting that his claims were fabricated.
“The vote thief, Lukooya, was in Katosi trying to hide his embarrassment by dragging my name into his speech. He claimed that he took me to President Museveni and that he would also take Maseruka. That is false,” she said.
She further accused Lukooya of dishonesty and questioned his conduct.
“Don’t you fear God? How can you shamelessly lie and openly steal votes?” she said.
Nambooze argued that the remarks were intended to mislead the public and maintained that they would not affect her political standing.
“Those are empty lies meant to mislead people. Nothing will divide us. We will continue confronting and exposing you until you leave Muyanja’s position,” she said.
The exchange adds to the growing political tensions in Mukono following the recently concluded district elections, whose outcome has remained contested by sections of the opposition.
Neither President Museveni nor State House had commented on Lukooya’s claim about facilitating a meeting with Nambooze by the time of publication. Likewise, no independent evidence had been provided to substantiate the alleged meeting.
English 