As Uganda’s election season unfolds, a series of bitter intra-party battles have exposed the fractures within political families and the ruling party itself. Recent disputes over party nominations have not only put longstanding relationships to the test but also raised questions about the integrity of internal electoral processes.
At the heart of one dramatic conflict are David and Cadet Benjamin Katureebe, sons of former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, whose rivalry for the Bunyaruguru County seat in Rubirizi District has captivated and divided local elites.
Benjamin, the younger brother, was initially declared the party’s flagbearer in the primaries which were concluded last month on July 24, but his victory quickly became the subject of fierce contestation.
David, alongside incumbent MP John Twesigye Ntamuhiira, challenged the results, alleging electoral fraud and calling for nullification and a fresh vote.
David Katureebe framed the dispute not as a family quarrel but a fight for development, emphasizing the need for a fair process.
“If you are trying to work for your country, don’t involve issues of being related,” he said. He further questioned his brother’s effectiveness, recalling Benjamin’s previous term as MP as insufficient.
Benjamin, however, dismissed the accusations as unfounded, stressing his deep grassroots support and claiming a significant margin of victory.
The brothers’ tense but measured exchanges reflect the complicated intersection of family loyalty and political ambition, a dynamic that many Ugandans recognize all too well in the political arena.
