Outspoken political analyst, Frank Gashumba, has called for Members of Parliament who have served more than three terms to step aside, making a strong case for political renewal in Uganda. In a recent public statement, Gashumba emphasized that apart from Hon. Ssemujju Nganda of Kira Municipality, all MPs with extended tenures should not return to Parliament in the upcoming elections.
Gashumba heaped praise on Ssemujju, describing him as the best-performing MP in the country. “Ssemujju debates well, he is well informed, and he sticks to his word,” Gashumba said. He pointed to Ssemujju’s consistent advocacy and principled stance on national issues as evidence of his exceptional service to the people of Uganda. “He stands out from the rest,” he added, “and the country deserves more MPs like him.”
However, Gashumba did not spare other long-serving MPs from criticism, singling out Hon. Betty Nambooze, the MP for Mukono Municipality, who has served for four terms and is reportedly seeking a fifth. Gashumba was scathing in his remarks, accusing Nambooze of doing little for her constituents over her many years in office.
“Nambooze went to Parliament as poor as a church mouse, but now she is a billionaire,” Gashumba alleged, suggesting that her time in Parliament has been more about personal enrichment than public service. He went on to accuse Nambooze and other MPs of hiding behind the cause of fighting for Buganda’s interests, while their real intentions were to accumulate personal wealth.
“Those who went to Parliament claiming they were going to fight for issues of Buganda have never made any single statement on the floor of the house about the matter,” Gashumba claimed, further questioning the commitment of MPs to the causes they once championed.
In his pointed critique, Gashumba urged voters to take action. “Enough is enough. All MPs who have been in Parliament for more than three terms do not deserve to come back, apart from Ssemujju Nganda. The likes of Betty Nambooze, who has been in Parliament for four terms, need to be retired by the electorate,” he said.
Gashumba didn’t hold back on Nambooze’s recent political trajectory, accusing her of hypocrisy in her criticism of President Museveni. “Betty Nambooze should be praising President Museveni for enabling her to become what she is today. She entered Parliament with nothing, and now she’s rich,” he said. He also referenced her recent trip to the United States, where she was reportedly receiving $700 per day for medical treatment, suggesting that her time in Parliament has allowed her to accumulate wealth far beyond the average Ugandan.
“Nambooze has accumulated over 8 billion in salaries during her four terms in Parliament. It’s time for her to retire and let others take on,” Gashumba added.
In a broader critique, Gashumba challenged other long-serving MPs who claim to be fighting against President Museveni to come clean about their financial status before they entered Parliament. “I want those MPs claiming to be fighting President Museveni to show us how they were performing financially before going to Parliament and now. I know some who were sleeping in a rented two-room house, but now own mansions. Some even got passports after entering Parliament,” he charged.
Gashumba concluded by advising the youth to avoid being misled into riots and protests by opportunistic politicians. He cautioned young people against being used by political leaders who stir up unrest, only to leave them to face the consequences while they continue to live comfortably with their families. “These politicians are enjoying their wealth while the youth suffer after being misled,” he warned.
Gashumba’s statements have ignited debate over the accountability of long-serving MPs, especially those who campaign on populist platforms but fail to deliver meaningful results for their constituents.
