Joy Kabatsi, 71, has served as head of the legal department at State House and as minister of State in the dockets of Agriculture and Transport. She has also been an influential figure in Sembabule politics for nearly three decades. In this interview with Bbeg Media, she reveals why she wants to unseat Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo, a person she was once allied with. She also told us why she is not happy that President Museveni does not pick her calls.
Excerpts and video below
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You have been off the scene for some time. Where have you been?
I have been in Sembabule, engaging in political work with the hope that people will vote for me. I have invested heavily in roads and street lights. However, in March, a general from the army approached me and suggested he should be the candidate instead.
Doesn’t he have the right to stand?
He has the right, but the NRM should sit us down to discuss this. I have been working in Lwemiyaga for 20 years. President Museveni personally encouraged me to contest in Lwemiyaga. Initially, I competed with Honorable Anifa Kawooya for the Sembabule Woman MP seat until a special constituency was created for her. I thought I would continue contesting for the Woman MP seat, but the President directed me to Lwemiyaga. There, I observed that many government programs were poorly implemented because the MP, Theodore Ssekikubo, was focused on Parliament and not active on the ground.
So, you decided to try to unseat him?
Not exactly. Several people approached the President, complaining about Ssekikubo’s performance, and the President noted that they were the ones electing him. However, Ssekikubo has allegedly used military force to secure victories. I witnessed this myself.
Where does Ssekikubo get the guns? Aren’t you making baseless allegations?
He has access to them—I don’t know how, but the people of Lwemiyaga can confirm. Many were beaten, and the President was informed about this. I believe this is why the general has entered the race, thinking his military influence gives him an edge. Some of General Rwashande’s associates warned me to leave the constituency, claiming I cannot win and that even if I did, they would not declare me the winner.
I thought you were an NRM insider. Do guns scare you?
I am deeply involved in the NRM, but when a general with military backing steps in, it’s daunting. I am a strong fighter and have been active for 20 years, but I don’t want to get entangled with guns.
Recently, we saw you clashing with Dr. Tanga Odoi in a meeting. Now you mention generals opposing you. Won’t these forces push you out of politics?
They won’t chase me out. I am committed to serving Lwemiyaga and improving service delivery. Tanga Odoi should listen to the people of Sembabule. The NRM has never held proper internal elections in Sembabule because Sam Kutesa called the shots. Now, as we try to reorganize the party, Ssekikubo is causing confusion. Why doesn’t the party chairman step in to resolve this?
In that meeting, Tanga Odoi warned you against dragging Museveni’s name into Sembabule politics and threatened to eject you.
Tanga Odoi is just protecting his position, especially since his contract was renewed for three years. He called Ssekikubo a good NRM cadre, but the people of Lwemiyaga are tired of Ssekikubo, who has been MP for 25 years. Tanga should tread carefully. He tried to intimidate me, but what authority does he have to throw me out? Even Kutesa once tried to remove me from a meeting with Museveni, but I stood my ground.
Ssekikubo is known for fighting for the common man.
That was true in the past when I worked with him, but he has changed. He’s been accused of displacing people from their land, among other issues. Ssekikubo and Kutesa are cut from the same cloth. I admire the Democratic Party’s slogan of “Truth and Justice” because that’s what society should uphold.
Are you saying there’s no truth and justice in the NRM?
There is some, but not enough. Nowadays, it’s hard to access President Museveni to discuss these matters.
Even someone like you—a senior cadre and former minister—can’t reach Museveni?
Things have changed. My calls go unanswered, and I’ve tried reaching the State House switchboard without success. I pray things return to how they used to be.
Will you secure the NRM candidacy for Lwemiyaga in 2026?
I believe I can. If they can give it to Ssekikubo, why not me? However, I haven’t decided whether to contest yet. I need to speak with the President first to understand how army generals became involved in Lwemiyaga’s politics.
Last word?
I am a senior NRM cadre. You can’t just push me out of Lwemiyaga without a discussion. I have supporters there. All I want is to meet President Museveni. I’ve written to the NRM Secretary General. If I don’t meet the President before nominations, I will make a decision.
