MP Nyangweso defends lawmakers who withdraw services after defeat

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Samia Bugwe Central MP Dennis Nyangweso has said it is contradictory for voters to expect their elected leaders to play the role of Government by offering services, yet still want to benefit from those same services after voting them out.

Speaking to New Vision on February 13, 2026, Nyangweso remarked that the electorate cannot have it both ways, arguing that they have to choose whether to have the cake or eat it.

His comments come in the wake of actions by some losing lawmakers, such as Mawokota South’s Yusuf Nsibambi of the Forum for Democratic Change, who is reported to have disconnected electricity that he had allegedly lobbied for constituents.

Others, such as Dr Twaha Kagabo of Bukoto South, have reportedly told voters that the time for enjoying freebies is over.

“So, I don’t want to say whether he (Nsibambi) was right or wrong to withdraw. That is his personal judgement. But I would have a problem with his voters when they are angry that he has removed the services, yet they are happy that they have removed him. If they are happy that they have removed him, they shouldn’t be angry that he has gone with the services,” Nyangweso argued.

“That’s a contradiction. You only reap what you sow. If you have sown rejection, then you should reap removal of the service,” he added.

At the core, Nyangweso pointed out that such developments stem from voters’ misconstrued interpretation of multi-party politics.

“I don’t know how to describe voters. Because we don’t know whether they understand why they are participating and voting leaders. That would be the question. Do they understand and appreciate the role for which they have voted you?” he wondered.

Further explaining that “If you vote someone from the opposition, you expect them to go and critique Government such that it can improve and serve Uganda better. But now, we have seen people vote MPs from the opposition and expect them to deliver as Government to deliver services, buy ambulances.”

“Why would somebody like Semujju lose an election. Hasn’t he done his part as an opposition member of parliament?” Nyangweso posed.

For the opposition, he said the situation has been further compounded by internal divisions, which have seen some of its prominent figures lose elections.

Nyangweso questioned why opposition parties would field candidates against one another in their strongholds instead of working together.

“That’s the reason why Parliament may lose key and serious opposition members on the floor,” he summed.