Kibuku, Uganda: A government electricity handover ceremony in Nandere, Kibuku District, spiraled into political confrontation on Friday as area MP Hon. Mugole Mauku David Stephen and aspiring legislator Dr. Patrick Godfrey Wakida clashed over credit for the 5-kilometre rural electrification project.
The project, implemented by C and G Andijes Group Ltd, is part of a government initiative to extend electricity to underserved areas. While the community welcomed the development, tensions among political leaders overshadowed the official handover.
Sources close to the project reveal that Dr. Wakida had lobbied the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to include Nandere Secondary School in the extension plan.
However, after the contractor began preliminary work, Hon. Mugole petitioned the ministry, alleging that the launch lacked formal authorization and oversight.
The Ministry dismissed Mugole’s objections and proceeded with plans for an official handover. Representing Minister of State for Energy Hon. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot, Engineer Abdon Atwine led the ceremony, urging leaders to set aside politics. “If you stop the contractor, when will you get electricity?” Atwine asked, calling for unity among local actors.
Drama erupted when Dr. Wakida arrived at the venue. His supporters, many of them local residents, abandoned tents and surged forward to welcome him. Observers said the MP’s camp appeared agitated by the spontaneous show of support.
Attempts to block Wakida from accessing the main tent reportedly failed, and he eventually took a seat and later addressed the gathering.
The crowd, visibly aligned with Wakida, interrupted Mugole’s speech with heckles, chanting the aspirant’s name. “This electricity is Wakida’s work,” one resident shouted. “He’s the reason we’re getting power.”
Kibuku district representative Hon. Majanga Augustine Moleka criticized the sitting MP, saying public sentiment had shifted. “People no longer want to talk, they want results,” Majanga told the gathering. “Wakida pushed this project when others didn’t.”
Speaking to DailyExpress after the chaos, Dr. Wakida called for calm and encouraged cooperation with government contractors. He also rallied support for the NRM government, citing the electrification project as a sign of national commitment to rural development.
Kibuku Woman MP, who is also Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs, Hon. Jennifer Namuyangu, urged residents to welcome the project regardless of political divides. “Let’s focus on the service this government is delivering,” she said. “Politics should not overshadow progress.”
The Nandere standoff comes amid an intensifying political contest in Kabweri Constituency, where Dr. Wakida’s growing popularity appears to unsettle both incumbent MP Mugole and veteran minister Namuyangu.
Residents, however, are hopeful that political drama won’t derail the electricity rollout they’ve long waited for.
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