Veteran legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has broken his silence following his defeat in last week’s parliamentary elections, officially conceding the Kira Municipality seat after a 15-year career in Uganda’s Parliament.
Ssemujju, one of the most outspoken figures in the opposition, lost the seat to National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate George Musisi in the January 15, 2026 polls, ending an incumbency that dates back to the creation of Kira Municipality in 2016.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the election, Ssemujju accepted the voters’ decision, describing his loss as genuine and undisputed.
“I don’t want to blame the state or anyone. I lost genuinely, although there are candidates who were cheated,” he said.
“I campaigned and believed I would win. But when the results came out, I had lost, and I conceded.”
The results reflected a clear shift in Kira’s political landscape, with Musisi overturning Ssemujju’s long-standing dominance in areas such as Kirinya and Kasokoso, signalling changing voter preferences within the constituency.
Reflecting on the broader election outcome, Ssemujju expressed concern over the exit of several experienced opposition legislators, including Mathias Mpuuga, Muwanga Kivumbi, and Medard Lubega Ssegona, all of whom also lost their seats.
According to Ssemujju, their departure leaves a significant gap in parliamentary experience.
“Parliament will miss us,” he said.
“When you speak about quality, people get offended. But the truth is that some of the MPs who have been removed are people Parliament will feel their absence.”
While accepting his personal defeat, Ssemujju was careful not to attribute his loss to state interference or electoral malpractice, though he noted that some opposition candidates elsewhere were unfairly treated.
He also highlighted the reduced numerical strength of the opposition in the new Parliament.
“In my constituency, the opposition celebrated the removal of an opposition candidate, not NRM,” he said.
“We were 106 opposition MPs. That number has now gone down to about 78.”
Despite no longer holding a parliamentary seat, Ssemujju vowed to remain active in Uganda’s struggle for democratic reform and civil liberties.
“The people of Kira Municipality gave me 15 years in Parliament,” he said.
“Maybe they felt it was time for me to step away. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to serve this country. To all those who stood with me and worked tirelessly, I am forever grateful for your support.”
