An Opinion By Dudu Juma
The political landscape of Sironko District was irreversibly transformed the day Mr. Mafabi Suleiman Lumolo arrived at the NRM Structures Elections venue. The cheers of the crowd thundered across the hills of Bugisu. Elders bowed, the youth danced, and yellow flags fluttered proudly as Lumolo stepped out, hoisted on the shoulders of youthful NRM diehards—a symbol of honor usually reserved for kings and revolutionaries.
Meanwhile, silence fell on the opposing camp. Minister Florence Nambozo Wamala, who had clung to hope until that moment, was forced into an embarrassing and dramatic retreat. She fled the venue in full view of supporters, security, and media—an act widely seen as a symbolic concession of defeat. No amount of propaganda or ministerial privilege could withstand the people’s wave that Lumolo commanded. Her attempt to challenge him for the NRM chairmanship was not only audacious but also ill-timed and ill-advised.
When Bugisu speaks, it speaks through the voice of truth. On that day, the people spoke through Lumolo.
Who Is Mr. Mafabi Suleiman Lumolo?
In the vibrant valleys and ridges of Bugisu, one name echoes through marketplaces, council halls, and homesteads: Mafabi Suleiman Lumolo. A businessman, community builder, political strategist, and champion of integrity, Lumolo has always walked with his people, not above them.
A Political Mobilizer and Party Loyalist
Mr. Lumolo is a respected businessman, a formidable political figure, and a tireless community mobilizer. He has emerged as a silent but influential architect of transformative efforts in the region, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the NRM in Sironko.
Notably, Lumolo became the first person in Uganda to offer the NRM a permanent office—complete with furniture, staff, and utilities—ensuring it remained active year after year. He has consistently mobilized for the party with unwavering dedication. From personally facilitating delegates to national functions and funding their transportation and upkeep to covering more than half of the budget for local NRM functions, he has ensured that Bugisu’s voice is always heard in the corridors of power.
Mr. Lumolo’s legacy is built not on slogans, but on substance. He has spearheaded follow-ups on the NRM manifesto and presidential pledges. Whether it’s championing the Prof. Dani Nabudere Memorial Institute in Buyobo, advocating for road infrastructure like the Nalugugu–Budadiri–Namagumba Road, or supporting the establishment of the Wapa Memorial Institute of Nursing and Midwifery in Mafudu, Lumolo has made tangible contributions. He doesn’t stop at lobbying—he ensures that promises are fulfilled.
During the 2020 campaigns, Lumolo personally contributed over 100 million shillings to supplement the President’s allocated funds, often doubling the allocations in heavily populated villages. He also spearheaded the delivery of motorcycles and bicycles promised during those campaigns, ensuring that every NRM sub-county and village-level chairperson in Sironko received theirs. Known as the “godfather of NRM” in Sironko, he has consistently fostered harmony by convening reconciliation meetings before general elections and accompanying all flag bearers, from parliamentary candidates to LC-level positions, on their campaign trails.
Throughout the years, Lumolo has politically supported countless NRM candidates—including Hon. Florence Nambozo Wamala, whom he funded and mobilized for during her 2016 campaign. His influence extends beyond elections: he regularly holds quarterly meetings with opinion leaders, NRM councillors, and sub-county chairmen—sessions he personally funds to strengthen party cohesion and understanding of the NRM manifesto.
In his commitment to grassroots empowerment, Lumolo has provided seed capital to small-scale businesses and employed many within his enterprises in Bugisu and Kampala. He also founded the NRM SACCO in Sironko, giving it the seed capital it needed to thrive.
After elections, Lumolo has gone further, lobbying for job opportunities and presidential appointments for NRM mobilizers—securing roles in bodies like NIRA, RDC offices, and government commissions. His efforts to train youth in modern farming on his model farm and to distribute heifers to NRM stalwarts highlight his vision for long-term economic empowerment in Sironko.
A Legacy Reclaimed
In Sironko, the people did not just elect a chairman; they reclaimed a legacy. That legacy rests securely on the shoulders of Mr. Mafabi Suleiman Lumolo—the man who never had to beg for power because power has always followed him. The unopposed chairman. He is not merely coming to sit in an office. He is here to further mobilize, supervise, and unite the NRM leadership in Sironko and the wider Bugisu region. Where others rule by fear, he governs with faith. Where others divide, he unites. Where others flee, he walks with the people.
The Lumolo Manifesto: What We Can Expect
Bugisu is on a path of transformation, and at the helm stands Mr. Lumolo—a leader who walks with the people and dreams with the nation. As the NRM Chairman of Sironko District, Lumolo’s strategic priorities include:
- Grassroots empowerment through SACCOs, agricultural cooperatives, and rural investments
- Youth and women skilling hubs, with vocational training in tailoring, carpentry, and agribusiness
- Transparent resource delivery, ensuring government projects reach the intended beneficiaries
- Restoration of NRM unity and integrity, healing the wounds of factionalism sown by opportunistic politics
In Lumolo, Sironko has found not just a chairman, but a leader who embodies the spirit of the people and the future of the region.
