Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande, a retired army officer, is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. After winning the NRM party primaries in Lwemiyaga County on July 17, 2025, Rwashande took a swipe at the area’s current MP, Theodore Ssekikubo, accusing him of failing to build schools. But instead of applause, the retired general’s comments sparked a storm of criticism, especially on social media.
In a recent interview, Rwashande questioned whether Ssekikubo had ever brought in friends or partners to help build even one school in the area. “He hasn’t done anything for the people,” Rwashande said. But many Ugandans were quick to respond — and not kindly.
Across platforms like Twitter and Facebook, users reminded Rwashande that Members of Parliament are not responsible for building schools. That job, they said, belongs to the government and local councils. “MPs make laws and approve budgets. They are not builders,” one post read. Another user added, “He should be asking his party why the schools are missing, not blaming Ssekikubo.”
Some Ugandans went a step further, mocking Rwashande’s understanding of parliamentary roles. “You want to be an MP and you don’t even know what MPs do?” one person tweeted. Another joked, “No wonder he finished primary school in one night.”
Rwashande’s critics also pointed out that Ssekikubo has actually played a part in improving education in Lwemiyaga. He partnered with the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to help build St. Luke Orthodox College in the area. “That’s not politics—that’s real work,” one supporter said. “While others talk, Ssekikubo delivers.”
The backlash didn’t stop there. Some Ugandans turned the criticism back on Rwashande himself, questioning his legacy as a soldier. “What did you do for the country while in uniform?” one person asked. “At your age, you should be guiding the young, not throwing around empty attacks.”
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about how many people — including some politicians — don’t fully understand the role of MPs. As one user clearly put it: “MPs are not construction workers. They don’t build classrooms — they help make laws and decide how the country’s money is spent.”
Although Rwashande may have won the party primaries, the reaction from the public has been far less friendly. What was meant to be a powerful political punch has now left him looking unprepared and out of touch with the job he’s trying to get.
