Former Kira Municipality MP and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Secretary General Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has dismissed growing speculation that he is selling his Bukasa home in Bweyogerere to permanently relocate abroad, saying the country’s worsening political situation is far more important than rumours about his property.
Speaking in a video message from exile, Ssemujju said he was saddened by what he described as the continued decline in human rights and democratic freedoms in Uganda.
He pointed to several recent incidents, including the collapse of Dr Kizza Besigye during a court appearance, reports about the deteriorating health of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, a video purportedly showing detained opposition activist Sam Mugumya in poor condition, and the disappearance before the reappearance of former Butambala MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi after 19 days.
Ssemujju questioned why public attention had shifted to claims that he was selling his home instead of focusing on what he called the suffering of political detainees.
“This is where we are as a nation. And yet while I still struggle with this pain, someone calls me to ask if it is true that I am selling my home to permanently leave the country. As if a home is more important than the lives of people who are in prison,” he said.
“If it pleases anyone, I am not actually selling my home; but that is not important because I am not sleeping in it right now,” he added.
His remarks follow online reports claiming he had instructed property brokers to sell his Bukasa residence and other properties as he prepared to settle abroad permanently.
Ssemujju said that even if he were forced into permanent exile, he would not be the first Ugandan politician to leave the country, noting that several prominent figures in both the opposition and government have lived or obtained citizenship abroad.
He cited National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi, President Museveni’s son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s sister-in-law Shartsi Kutesa, Uganda’s newly appointed minister Adonia Ayebare and Dr Muganga as examples of Ugandans who have lived or acquired citizenship outside the country.
According to Ssemujju, those currently in power should not assume they will never face a similar fate.
“Even those who have decided to ruin our country, their time will come to run away. We shall meet them on flights fleeing some day,” he said.
He called on Ugandans to remain committed to demanding political change, saying he would continue contributing to that cause regardless of where he is.
Ssemujju left Uganda in June after travelling to Mecca for Umrah, days after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba suggested on social media that he and Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi could be the next opposition leaders targeted following the arrest of Erias Lukwago.
Earlier this month, he revealed that he had relocated to an undisclosed neighbouring country.
