Kira Municipality Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda, has once again stirred debate by openly criticizing the quality of leaders in Uganda’s Parliament. Speaking on NBS Morning Breeze, Ssemuju said that most MPs in the 11th Parliament are not fit for their positions and would be better suited as LC3 councilors. He argued that the country’s political system is failing because political parties no longer focus on nurturing capable leaders.
Ssemuju compared political recruitment to football, saying that serious clubs scout young talent and train the best players for the future. In contrast, he argued, Uganda’s political parties allow anyone who shows up at nomination to become a leader, regardless of skill or potential. This, he believes, has resulted in a parliament filled with weak and unprepared politicians.
Looking back, Ssemuju noted that political parties used to actively recruit young leaders, even from universities. He pointed to the Democratic Party’s youth wing, the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), which once attracted passionate and talented students. According to him, such systems helped build strong leaders, whereas today, opportunism seems to have replaced serious recruitment.
Ssemuju did not spare the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) either. Addressing NRM’s Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who appeared on the show, he accused the commission of merely processing candidates without properly checking their leadership ability. He claimed that nearly 85% of MPs are only fit for local council positions and not for Parliament.
His remarks reflect growing concerns about how effective Uganda’s Parliament is under Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. Critics say parliamentary debates have become shallow, with many MPs failing to contribute meaningfully to national issues. Some, Ssemuju added, can go years without speaking on key matters affecting the country.
From his perspective, the problem affects both the ruling party and the opposition. He warned that Uganda’s politics has been taken over by leaders more interested in positions than public service. This, he said, explains why citizens continue to suffer from poor representation and weak decision-making at the national level.
Ssemuju’s statements are consistent with his reputation for speaking fearlessly against the political establishment. However, his latest comments are likely to ignite new discussions about the value and effectiveness of Uganda’s current Parliament. If most MPs are indeed unfit for their roles, as he claims, the country faces a leadership crisis that needs urgent attention.
