Former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has launched a fierce response to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declaring that he will not be intimidated by threats of arrest and urging Ugandans not to live in fear of powerful individuals.
Ssemujju’s remarks followed a heated social media exchange in which he criticized Muhoozi over the controversial arrest of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. The outspoken politician insisted that while those in power may appear untouchable, no human being is above the realities of life and death.
The dispute emerged amid growing public concern over the treatment of Lukwago, who is one of the lawyers representing opposition veteran Dr. Kizza Besigye. Lukwago had reportedly been pursuing legal action involving Muhoozi when security operatives stormed his residence in Wakaliga and took him into custody.
The incident quickly became a major political talking point after images allegedly showing Lukwago blindfolded and lying on a tiled floor surfaced online. The photographs generated widespread criticism from opposition leaders, civil society activists, and human rights defenders who questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention.
Ssemujju was among the first prominent political figures to publicly condemn the incident. His criticism drew a sharp reaction from Muhoozi, who reportedly warned that the former legislator could be next in line for arrest.
Rather than backing down, Ssemujju responded with some of his strongest remarks yet. He said he was prepared for whatever consequences might follow and would not allow threats to silence him or prevent him from speaking out against what he believes are abuses of power.
Drawing from his past experiences, Ssemujju recalled an encounter with the late Gen Elly Tumwine during a television talk show shortly after deadly incidents in Kampala. He said many people feared he would face serious consequences after openly challenging the former military officer on air.
According to Ssemujju, despite those fears, he survived the period while Tumwine eventually passed away, a reality he says demonstrates that political power and military influence are temporary.
He argued that only God possesses ultimate authority over life and death and that no government official, regardless of rank or position, can escape the limits of human existence.
Ssemujju maintained that leaders who use arrests, intimidation, torture, or force against critics should remember that they too are vulnerable to sickness, aging, and death just like ordinary citizens.
He questioned whether arresting opponents would somehow make a leader immortal, asking whether power could protect anyone from illness, weakness, or the passage of time.
The former legislator stressed that while he is human and capable of feeling fear and pain, he refuses to organize his life around fear of any individual.
He noted that many soldiers have died in different circumstances, including wars, peacekeeping missions, and military accidents, emphasizing that death spares no one regardless of status or authority.
Referring to his Islamic faith, Ssemujju said believers understand that no person knows when, where, or how death will come, making it pointless to live under constant intimidation.
He therefore challenged what he described as excessive fear among some Ugandans, arguing that citizens should continue demanding accountability from public officials instead of remaining silent.
According to Ssemujju, leaders entrusted with public office are servants of the people and should exercise their authority in accordance with the law and the interests of taxpayers.
He argued that government officials are paid using public resources and therefore remain answerable to the citizens they serve, regardless of how powerful they may appear.
The former MP further warned that history eventually judges all leaders and that public office should never be used as a shield against criticism or accountability.
His remarks have added fresh fuel to an already tense political debate surrounding Lukwago’s arrest, the ongoing legal battle involving Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the conduct of security agencies.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Ssemujju has made it clear that he does not intend to retreat from public criticism. Whether faced with arrest, intimidation, or political pressure, he insists that he will continue speaking out and will never allow fear to dictate how he lives his life.
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