Masaka City Speaker, Ssempijja Tonny, as city councillors affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP) have accused him of secretly promoting LGBTQ rights in the newly created Masaka city.
The allegations have further intensified calls for his impeachment, with some councillors claiming that Ssempijja is being manipulated by Kasekende Ronald, a former youth councillor in Masaka City , to further the LGBTQ agenda.
Whisper Eye News has learnt , that several NUP councillors believe , Ssempijja’s rise to the position of Speaker was orchestrated by Kasekende, who they accuse of using his influence over the Speaker to push for LGBTQ rights within the city. “Our party is being blamed for promoting LGBTQ by NRM goons, and such figures are living evidence. We need to eliminate them,” said one NUP councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The accusations against Ssempijja are not just based on hearsay. Critics point to Kasekende’s frequent advocacy for LGBTQ rights on various platforms, claiming that Ssempijja, as Speaker, has been used as a ‘puppet’ to promote these values in the city’s leadership. The councillors believe that this links Ssempijja directly to an alleged underground LGBTQ movement being led by Kasekende and other supporters.
In response to the mounting pressure, Ssempijja has denied all allegations. He accuses certain members of the Masaka city council, including some political figures, of attempting to sabotage his leadership. “These so-called mafias are attacking me because I refused to join their corrupt practices,” Ssempijja said in a statement. “This attack is politically motivated and designed to remove me from office.”
The allegations have led to calls for Ssempijja’s removal from office. Under the Local Government Act, Section 11(6), a Speaker can be impeached by the council if two-thirds of its members support the motion. Grounds for removal include abuse of office, incompetence, misconduct, or any incapacity that would prevent the Speaker from performing their duties.
“The Speaker’s actions have caused harm to the reputation of our party and the city,” one councillor stated, adding that evidence was being gathered to pursue the impeachment process. “We have the facts, and we intend to see this through.”
The impeachment motion is expected to be formally discussed in a council meeting on 29 November 2023, where it will be determined whether the required two-thirds majority can be reached for Ssempijja’s removal.
Masaka City Mayor, Florence Namayanja, has refrained from commenting on the issue, citing ongoing investigations. However, sources close to her office suggest that she is concerned about the political infighting within the council.
Meanwhile, Kasekende Ronald, the former Masaka youth councillor, has yet to comment publicly on the allegations.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate across the region, with some expressing concerns about the increasing political polarization surrounding LGBTQ issues in Uganda. As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the upcoming council meeting to see how this high-stakes battle plays out.
