Former Kira Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has reportedly chosen to remain outside Uganda amid growing fears that he could face arrest over his outspoken criticism of President Yoweri Museveni’s government and members of the First Family.
Sources close to the former legislator told The Investigator that Ssemujju, who travelled abroad several weeks ago for what he described as business and religious engagements in Asia, has since resolved not to return to Uganda after receiving what associates describe as credible warnings that security agencies were preparing to arrest him.
According to individuals familiar with his movements, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) spokesperson was advised by friends and political allies to stay away from Uganda until what they termed “an increasingly hostile political environment” changes.
“Friends warned him not to board a flight back home because his file was already prepared. They told him there was a serious possibility of arrest the moment he landed,” one source claimed.
The source added that Ssemujju’s years of outspoken criticism of President Museveni’s administration, First Lady Janet Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had allegedly placed him under increased scrutiny.
While serving as Member of Parliament, Ssemujju frequently launched sharp attacks against senior government officials from the floor of Parliament, where legislators enjoy constitutional privilege for statements made during parliamentary proceedings.
However, sources claim that after losing his parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections, those legal protections no longer shield him in the same way, leaving him vulnerable to possible prosecution over statements made outside Parliament.Throughout his political career, Ssemujju built a reputation as one of Uganda’s most outspoken opposition politicians.
He repeatedly questioned Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s military career, at one point alleging that his recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had not followed ordinary procedures because of his earlier service in the Local Defence Unit (LDU). Government officials have consistently rejected accusations of impropriety surrounding Gen. Muhoozi’s military career.
The former MP also regularly accused the First Family of using state resources to build what he described as private political and economic empires, allegations that government officials have repeatedly denied.
Before joining politics, Ssemujju worked as a journalist with the Daily Monitor and The Observer, later entering Parliament where he represented Kira Municipality for three consecutive terms.
After leaving the FDC alongside veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, Ssemujju became one of the founding leaders of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), where he currently serves as Secretary General.Sources further allege that investigators have expressed interest in questioning Ssemujju in connection with ongoing investigations involving several opposition figures.
“The state has linked him to matters involving Dr. Kizza Besigye and others already facing criminal proceedings. He has therefore been advised to remain outside Uganda for now,” another source claimed.The claims could not be independently verified, and authorities had not publicly announced any charges against Ssemujju by press time.
Ssemujju Breaks His Silence
Although he has not directly confirmed that he fled Uganda to evade arrest, Ssemujju appeared to acknowledge his self-imposed stay abroad in a series of posts published on his official X account.
In one message directed to former Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi following the latter’s release from prison, Ssemujju wrote that Uganda’s political environment had fundamentally changed. “My brother Muwanga Kivumbi. While you were away in Kitalya Prison for five months, a new order was proclaimed in Uganda,” he posted.
He went on to claim that criticism of members of President Museveni’s family had effectively become a criminal offence.”Criticising members of Museveni’s family means you don’t like the country and it is therefore a criminal offence.”
Ssemujju further alleged that security agencies increasingly hand suspects over to military authorities before police investigations are completed and claimed he was observing developments from a neighbouring country. “I am also in a neighbouring country trying to learn them,” he wrote.
In another post published on July 6, Ssemujju commented on legal proceedings involving Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Dr. Kizza Besigye.He alleged that Lukwago’s prosecution on charges of misprision of treason was politically motivated and further claimed that judicial officers were acting under political direction.
The government has consistently denied allegations that the judiciary operates under executive influence, maintaining that Uganda’s courts remain independent.Earlier posts also saw Ssemujju questioning President Museveni’s decision to retain First Lady Janet Museveni as Minister of Education and Sports despite reports regarding her health.
Congratulating her on her birthday, Ssemujju asked why the President had appointed “an aged and sick wife” to oversee Uganda’s education sector, arguing that the ministry required active leadership.
He also criticised recent efforts to amend legislation governing Parliament’s administration, accusing ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators of weakening Parliament’s institutional independence.
Mixed Reactions
News of Ssemujju’s continued stay outside Uganda has generated intense debate on social media, with supporters arguing that his fears are understandable given recent arrests of several prominent opposition politicians.
Political commentator Wilfred Businge was among those who defended the former legislator’s decision.In a lengthy post, Businge argued that several developments had fundamentally altered Uganda’s political landscape.
He cited public statements made by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba concerning opposition leaders, the continued detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye, the arrest of senior opposition figures, the deportation of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, and President Museveni’s recent comments regarding bail for opposition politicians.
“If you got a chance to leave the country, what would motivate you to come back?” Businge asked.His comments have been widely shared online, with supporters saying they reflect growing concerns among opposition activists.
Government officials have repeatedly rejected accusations of political persecution, insisting that all criminal investigations and prosecutions are conducted according to the law and without regard to political affiliation.
Whether Ssemujju eventually returns to Uganda remains uncertain. For now, one of the country’s most vocal opposition politicians appears content to watch events unfold from abroad, while Uganda’s already tense political environment continues to generate fresh controversy ahead of the next phase of opposition-government confrontation.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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