Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, the incumbent MP for Mawogola North in Sembabule and daughter of former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, has withdrawn her candidacy from the NRM primaries for the Mawogola North parliamentary seat, scheduled for July 16, 2025.
The announcement today (June 22, 2025) on her X handle just days after her nomination, shifts the political landscape, clearing the path for President Museveni’s younger brother, Godfrey Aine Kaguta, known as Sodo Kaguta.
In her statement, Musherure cited personal, political, and strategic reasons for stepping down, referencing the violent 2021 NRM primaries in Sembabule marked by intimidation and irregularities.
Following consultations with President Museveni, the NRM chairman, and her family, she outlined her decision to respect Museveni’s guidance, protect her supporters from past threats, preserve unity in Mawogola North and the NRM, and maintain party cohesion.
The 2020 primaries saw intense rivalry between Musherure and Sodo, escalating into violence and prompting Museveni’s intervention.
In the 2020 meeting, an agreement was reached, allowing Musherure to serve one term (2021–2026), with Sodo positioned to contest thereafter.
On June 19, 2025, Sodo reaffirmed this, stating, “It was agreed in 2021 that Musherure would serve for five years, and then I would come and serve.”
Since 2021, Musherure has focused on community development, notably through her Goberera Initiative, which improved healthcare, education, and agricultural support in Mawogola North.
Addressing supporters, she acknowledged their disappointment but framed her withdrawal as a sacrifice for the greater good, pledging continued commitment to their welfare.
Musherure’s exit positions Sodo as the frontrunner in Mawogola North.
Sembabule, a rural cattle-keeping district, remains a key NRM base, but intra-party rivalries have caused tensions. The 2021 contest between Musherure and Sodo reflected broader factional struggles within the NRM.
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