Medard Lubega Sseggona, the incumbent Busiro East MP, has cautioned residents against electing what he called “political jokers”. He said parliament has never been a lucrative business but a service to the country.
Sseggona told Bbeg Media while he was conducting door-to-door campaigns in Mpunga, Bulenga Gogonya, St Jude Catholic parish and other places that serving in Parliament must be seen as service to the country.
“I am very humbled by your warm welcome, love and support over the years and I do not take it for granted. I recognise our cordial relationship even more than your vote. I therefore urge you to vote and send me back because I still have a lot to lobby for you, including regime change so that we enjoy a better Uganda,” he told voters.
Sseggona said he had lobbied for the upgrading of Wakiso Health Centre IV to a hospital, including securing the land title. He added that more facilities such as ambulances were expected to improve emergency services for Busiro East residents.
He said the same lobbying would pave the way for upgrading Buloba Health Centre IV to provide affordable healthcare services. This, he noted, had been possible because of his influence and connections in parliament where he chaired the public accounts committee and the committee on commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises.
“I still have a lot to lobby for my people because I now know the right buttons to press, when, where and how. I urge you to vote me back so that we consolidate these gains and achieve more,” he said.
Sseggona, who visited various groups including women development associations, the Wakiso Transporters Association, St Jude parish, Mpunga Apostolic Christian church, Adonai Primary School and several elders, urged parents to educate their children.
He said children were the only form of insurance and pension for many families since most Ugandans work informally and cannot access pension schemes or afford life insurance.
The lawyer expressed concern about the increasing number of single mothers and urged men to reclaim their roles in families and society. He said stable families were the foundation of a stable country.
On economic development, Sseggona encouraged women groups and boda boda associations to formally register in order to qualify for government funding through the Uganda Microfinance Support Centre.
He promised to balance his work both in parliament and on the ground. He gave constituents his contact information and asked them to reach out for better and more effective representation.
During his visits to these areas, some residents praised him for his work in oversight, appropriation and accountability, and for his reputation as a human rights defender.
They, however, raised concerns about poor roads, limited access to the Parish Development Model and the continued detention of political prisoners.
Sseggona, who is running as an independent with the clock as his symbol, is competing against Mathias Walukagga of the National Unity Platform (NUP), fellow independents Emmanuel Magoola, Karooli Ssenfuma and Edward Lutaaya, Irene Nassolo of the Ecological Party and JEEMA’s Masmoos Kalungi.
