MASAKA, UGANDA — In Greater Masaka, the measure of leadership is rapidly shifting from the political podium directly to the people.
For Oscar Fransisco Mutebi, a public servant from Kyanamukaka, the primary question confronting leaders is not the prestige of their office, but what that office delivers to ordinary citizens.
“It is better to deliver services to people than to walk the grapevine of politics,” Mutebi says. “It is through serving people that you create a good identity.”
This philosophy anchors his community initiatives across youth sports, education, and agriculture. Mutebi, a Private Secretary at State House and Personal Assistant to the Presidential Envoy on Political Affairs, Rt. Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, maintains that leadership must remain rooted in everyday realities.
The Pitch as a Classroom
At the Buddu County Arena, young footballers have directly benefited from sports equipment and support extended to the Buddu County Team under the leadership of Jude Muleke. To Mutebi, these interventions extend far beyond football.
“Young people have talent, but talent needs support,” Mutebi notes. “When you give young people opportunities, you give society a better future.”
In rural communities where youth avenues are often limited, sports offer vital pathways for talent discovery while instilling discipline, teamwork, and confidence. The broader lesson remains clear: youth empowerment does not always start in a government office—sometimes it begins on a playing field.
Technology Opening Classrooms
Mutebi’s people-centered approach extends directly into education. At St. Mugaga Secondary School, a donated flat-screen television became a major window to global affairs. Students from St. Mugaga and Molly & Paul Schools recently gathered to watch international football fixtures, but Mutebi used the opportunity to deliver a broader message on digital literacy.
“Technology should not only be used for entertainment. It should help young people understand the world around them,” he emphasized, encouraging learners to follow current affairs and acquire knowledge.
Deo Ssembatya, former head prefect at St. Mugaga, noted that seeing events on a large screen broadened the students’ horizons, reinforcing that education extends far beyond classroom examinations.
Driving Household Prosperity
Beyond sports and education, agriculture forms another cornerstone of Mutebi’s work. In Greater Masaka—a region anchored by coffee production—he views commercial farming as the most practical route toward economic transformation.
“When you empower a family, you empower a community. When you empower communities, you strengthen the country,” Mutebi explains.
He argues that national development should not merely be discussed through macro-statistics, but felt inside the home—reflected in a farmer earning more, a youth finding work, or a student gaining digital access.
Service Beyond Politics
Through ongoing engagements with local leaders, including Kyanamukaka Town Council Mayor Zainab Nakidde, Mutebi draws a sharp line between political campaigning and public service.
“Politics comes and goes, but service remains. The most important thing is whether people’s lives are improving,” he stresses.
Campaigns inevitably end, but community needs—infrastructure, market access, and educational resources—persist. His model emphasizes continuous community dialogue, youth initiatives, development communication, and stronger links between citizens and public administration.
Ultimately, Mutebi argues that while titles provide authority, service alone grants genuine legitimacy.
“Leadership is about understanding people’s challenges and looking for solutions,” Mutebi concludes. “Leadership begins with humanity.”
In Greater Masaka, those words offer a clear challenge to anyone seeking public office: when titles fade, only the tangible impact on people’s daily lives will remain.
Brian Mugenyi is a Ugandan journalist, creative writer, and author.
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