SSEMBABULE — Kampala International University law graduate Geoffrey Tumusiime, a lawyer and emerging political figure in Ssembabule District, has called for far-reaching reforms in the district, saying its future depends on leadership that places citizens, justice and economic transformation at the centre of governance.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Sunday, August 23, 2026, Tumusiime, who is eyeing the Lwemiyaga parliamentary seat, said his political ambition is not simply about occupying an elected office but about contributing to a new generation of leaders seeking to transform Ssembabule through improved service delivery, community awareness, agricultural development, youth empowerment and respect for the rule of law.
He also appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in conflicts and insecurity in Lwemiyaga, arguing that communities cannot prosper when disputes and insecurity continue to threaten their livelihoods.
“If possible, I call upon President Museveni to intervene in the conflicts of Lwemiyaga and the insecurity in Lwemiyaga,” Tumusiime said.
His appeal comes as he seeks to build a political profile in a constituency whose politics have for years been closely associated with former Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo.
From Ssekikubo Admirer to Political Challenger
Tumusiime’s political journey carries an unusual twist: the politician he now hopes to challenge was once his role model.
Growing up in Ssembabule, Tumusiime admired Ssekikubo’s confidence, public speaking skills and ability to engage with political issues.
“He was open, articulate and most of the time I felt that Ssekikubo would lead us into the Promised Land as the people of Ssembabule,” Tumusiime recalls.
However, he says his political perspective has changed with time.
“I grew up with political ambitions and, as a young man, Ssekikubo was my role model. He was such a kind man, hardworking, but his nerve on the constituency has drastically changed,” he said.
Tumusiime now wants to move from observing politics to actively shaping it, presenting himself as part of a younger generation that believes it can offer a different direction for Lwemiyaga and the wider Ssembabule District.
A Lawyer with a Reform Agenda
Tumusiime’s reform agenda is rooted in his legal training and understanding of community development.
He is a graduate of the Law Development Centre and holds a diploma qualification. He also studied law at Kampala International University and is continuing his academic journey there.
His legal background, he says, has taught him that development without justice and public awareness can leave communities vulnerable.
“As a lawyer, creating community awareness and letting people embrace powerful leaders and standing where there is a need in the community welfare is important,” he said.
For Tumusiime, citizens must understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as government programmes designed to improve their livelihoods.
He argues that political leaders should not merely announce government programmes but should follow their implementation at the grassroots to ensure ordinary citizens benefit.
Agriculture: Ssembabule’s Sleeping Giant
In the villages of Lwemiyaga, Tumusiime sees an economic opportunity he believes has not been fully exploited.
Agriculture and livestock farming dominate the local economy, with many households depending on cattle, crop production and related businesses.
Tumusiime’s own upbringing has given him a personal connection to agriculture. Born to David Ndengana and Jovans Kyonyunyu, he grew up in a family where his father was a cattle herder.
He says this background exposed him to both the opportunities and vulnerabilities associated with rural livelihoods.
“It is blindingly obvious that agriculture is the booming business in Ssembabule, much as the community is still struggling with infrastructure development such as roads and health centres,” he said.
Tumusiime wants government agricultural programmes to be implemented more effectively so farmers can move from subsistence production to commercially oriented agriculture.
He argues that agricultural transformation must go hand in hand with better roads, markets, health facilities and access to information.
Land Conflicts and Social Justice
Tumusiime also identifies land conflicts as one of the challenges holding back communities in Ssembabule.
He says citizens need greater awareness of the law and the mechanisms available to them when seeking justice.
He believes community sensitisation can help reduce disputes while empowering citizens to participate more confidently in governance.
For Tumusiime, the law should not remain confined to courtrooms and legal books but should become a practical instrument for protecting ordinary citizens.
He believes his legal background can help bridge that gap between the law and the communities it is intended to serve.
Calling for Presidential Intervention
Tumusiime says conflicts and insecurity in Lwemiyaga require serious attention.
He has therefore appealed directly to President Museveni to intervene where necessary, arguing that presidential leadership could help calm tensions and restore confidence among communities.
“If possible, I call upon President Museveni to intervene in the conflicts of Lwemiyaga and the insecurity in Lwemiyaga,” he reiterated.
He said a peaceful environment is essential for farmers, traders, investors and young people to pursue economic opportunities.
A Political Journey That Started at 18
Tumusiime’s political ambitions began when he was still a teenager.
At the age of 18, he wanted to contest for Parliament, but his mother, Jovans Kyonyunyu, advised him to first complete his education.
“You’re still young to involve yourself in politics. The doors are more open for you in business if you finish with studies,” Tumusiime recalls her telling him.
Rather than abandoning politics, he followed her advice and pursued his studies.
His academic journey later opened the door to leadership. At Kampala University, he served as guild president in 2016, gaining experience in mobilisation, representation and leadership.
He later contested for guild leadership at the Law Development Centre, although he lost to Ivan Busulwa.
For Tumusiime, the defeat became part of his political education.
“One of my lecturers at Kampala University, Mr Nkugwa, who also taught me political science, had it that politics in general is a zero-sum game. You go for it expecting victory or losing. Personally, I’ve ever been in such a stance, so I know what I am chasing,” he said.
Youth Must Have a Greater Role in Leadership
Tumusiime believes Uganda’s young people should play a greater role in shaping the country’s future.
He says young people have the energy, education and creativity required to transform communities if given opportunities to lead.
“The youths today are the ones who hold the vigour to lead the country where it is destined to be,” he said.
His argument, however, is not that experience should be discarded. Rather, he believes younger leaders should learn from those who came before them while bringing fresh ideas to governance.
The Family Influence
Behind Tumusiime’s political ambition is a family that he says has supported his journey.
He particularly credits his grandfather, Elia Kalemire, whom he describes as an influential figure in Ssembabule.
“My grandfather has been very supportive both financially and materially. He is a focal person in Ssembabule and that’s why I strongly believe that as a family we are destined for leadership,” he said.
Tumusiime says the support has strengthened his belief that leadership should be treated as a responsibility to communities rather than a privilege for individuals.
A New Chapter for Ssembabule?
Tumusiime’s ambition comes at a time when the political landscape of Ssembabule continues to evolve.
Having grown up admiring Ssekikubo, he now wants to challenge the political establishment and persuade voters that a younger generation can provide new energy and fresh ideas.
However, his proposed political programme extends beyond personalities.
He wants to see a Ssembabule where farmers can prosper, young people can find opportunities, land disputes are resolved through lawful mechanisms, citizens understand their rights and government programmes reach the people for whom they are intended.
He also wants improved roads and health services, arguing that economic transformation cannot happen when communities remain disconnected from markets and essential services.
For Tumusiime, therefore, the Lwemiyaga contest is not simply a race for a parliamentary seat. It is a test of whether a young generation can translate education, professional experience and community mobilisation into political leadership.
As he puts it, the youth have the “vigour” to lead.
In Ssembabule, Tumusiime now appears ready to test that conviction at the ballot box.
His message is straightforward but ambitious: Ssembabule needs reforms, Lwemiyaga needs peace, and its people deserve leadership that turns promises into measurable results.
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