Museveni Breaks Silence: Gomba, Ntungamo Locals Are ‘Crying’ For Natasha & Diana To Enter Politics

By Our Reporter

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has disclosed that his daughters, Natasha Karugire and Diana Kyaremera, are facing growing pressure from residents in Gomba and Ntungamo to join parliamentary politics, but he insists both women have no interest in pursuing elective office.

Speaking to journalists at his Rwakitura country home on Wednesday night, Museveni said communities have approached him directly and appealed to the First Daughters themselves to consider contesting. He explained, however, that his daughters are focused on family responsibilities and business ventures and will not enter political races.

He recounted that during a recent visit to Kisozi in Gomba, locals openly expressed their desire for Natasha to contest for a parliamentary seat. “Recently I went to Gomba in Kisozi and the Baganda of Kisozi told me, ‘Twagala Natasha ajje yesimbewo’ (We want Natasha to contest and represent us),” Museveni said. He dismissed the idea, explaining that Natasha’s visits to the area are strictly for family matters. “When Natasha goes to Kisozi, she’s going to look after our cows, not to fight for petty political offices. They can beg her, but I don’t think they can convince her.”

Museveni said similar demands have been made in Ntungamo, where residents have asked that Diana contest for the District Woman MP seat. “My other daughter Diana is in Ntungamo taking care of our grandparents’ land, and the locals always say, ‘Diana should come and contest for District Woman MP.’ But she can’t. My children cannot get involved in that,” he said.

The President made these remarks while responding to questions about the surge in political aspirants and the escalating tensions seen in the current campaign season. He argued that many Ugandans seek political office primarily as a livelihood strategy rather than out of a desire to serve. “The reason we have politics of life and death in Uganda is because most people who join politics are poor and looking for bread. They do not come in to serve but to make money,” he said. He added that a Kampala businessman once declined a ministerial appointment, telling him that government service would interfere with his personal businesses.

Museveni said the long-term solution to chaotic and monetized politics lies in economic transformation at household level. “What will stabilize politics is not law enforcement or arresting people. It is families getting out of poverty so that a person joins politics to serve, not to look for food,” he said.