Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande, a retired army officer, is currently facing a wave of criticism from Ugandans after he made harsh remarks about Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo. The retired general accused Ssekikubo of failing to build schools in Lwemiyaga County. However, his words did not land well with many citizens — especially on social media.
During a recent interview, Rwashande questioned whether Ssekikubo had ever invited any partners or friends to help build even one school in the area. “He hasn’t done anything for the people,” Rwashande said confidently. These comments came shortly after Rwashande won the NRM party primaries on July 17, 2025, defeating Ssekikubo in a closely watched race.
Instead of celebrating his win, Rwashande found himself at the center of an online storm. Many Ugandans took to Twitter and other platforms to correct the general’s understanding of what a Member of Parliament is supposed to do. “Building schools is not an MP’s job,” one person posted. “That’s the work of the government and local leaders, not lawmakers.” Another added, “Mzee is offside. He should ask his party leaders about the missing schools, not Ssekikubo.”
Several users went further to explain that under the 1995 Constitution, MPs are mainly responsible for making and amending laws, and approving the national budget. “They are not engineers or contractors,” one user said. This led to many questioning whether Rwashande fully understands the duties of the office he’s seeking.
Some critics used humor and sarcasm to mock him. “You’re running to become an MP, and you don’t even know what MPs do?” one tweet read. Another person joked, “No wonder he finished primary school in one night. This is embarrassing.”
But it didn’t stop there. Rwashande was also criticized for ignoring the real contributions Ssekikubo has made to education in the region. Many Ugandans pointed out that Ssekikubo helped build St. Luke Orthodox College in Lwemiyaga, in partnership with the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). One user praised the MP’s efforts, writing, “That’s not just politics — that’s real service. While others talk, he works.”
Some people even turned the spotlight back on Rwashande, questioning his own legacy. “What have you done for this country during your years in uniform?” one person asked. “At your age, you should be mentoring the young, not spreading false claims.”
This controversy has opened up a broader discussion about how many Ugandans misunderstand the roles of their elected leaders. As one post summarized, “You don’t pay taxes to Ssekikubo. If schools are missing, blame the executive arm of government. MPs don’t build classrooms — they pass laws and budgets.”
Although Rwashande won the NRM primaries, his comments have caused him to lose support in the public eye. What started as a confident attack on his opponent has instead exposed his own lack of knowledge — and left many wondering if he’s ready to represent the people in Parliament.
