The National Resistance Movement (NRM) campaigns in Mukono have taken a sour turn, with accusations and counteraccusations dominating the agenda.
Haji Haruna Semakula, an NRM aspirant for the district chairmanship, has accused his opponent, Haji Twahir Sebaggala, of funding a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his personality.
Semakula, the NRM vice chairman for Mukono district, is running against his boss, Sebaggala, who has been in leadership for 15 years.
The competition between the two celebrated businessmen is intense, with analysts finding it difficult to predict the outcome.
Semakula’s camp alleges that Sebaggala is behind baseless rumors that Semakula drew a pistol at a campaign strategy meeting.
The incident allegedly occurred at the home of Andrew Kaddu Kabugo, the NRM chairman for Kabimbiri. Semakula denies the allegations, saying they are a concoction.
Kaddu, the host of Semakula’s meeting, criticized the author of the gun-story for acting unprofessionally.
Semakula vowed to take legal action against those behind the smear campaign, saying he has employed peaceful tactics to convince NRM supporters to rally behind him.
Semakula attributed the party’s poor performance in the district to Sebaggala’s leadership, saying the NRM’s representation in parliament has dwindled under his watch.
Haji Sebaggala laughed off the allegations, saying they are a ploy by weak politicians.
He refrained from commenting further, saying his focus is on telling supporters about his strategies for strengthening the party.
When pressed, Sebaggala said he was not in a position to confirm or deny the incident, but emphasized that the law would take its course if Semakula indeed drew a gun.
The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, advised NRM politicians in Mukono to desist from dirty politics and focus on their manifestos.
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