Wereba Kivumbi Weraba: The Song hitting in Butambala as Politics Take a Dramatic Turn

As Uganda heads into the final stretch of the electoral calendar, the political landscape in Butambala District has become increasingly turbulent.

With 15 January 2026 fast approaching the decisive polling day shifting voter moods and unexpected dynamics are redefining what was once considered a predictable contest.

One of the most striking developments is the rise of a popular song, “Wereba Kivumbi Weraba,” which has spread rapidly from one corner of Butambala to another.

Composed and popularised by supporters of Eriasa Mukiibi Serunjogi, the song openly bids farewell to long-serving Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi, signalling a growing sentiment for change among sections of the electorate.

Kivumbi, who also serves as Vice President for Buganda in the National Unity Platform (NUP), is facing what many observers describe as the toughest election battle of his 15-year political career.

Once regarded as firmly in control of the constituency, he is now encountering open hostility at public gatherings. On several occasions, including at burial ceremonies, he has reportedly been heckled and chased away by residents, an uncommon scene in a constituency he has represented for over a decade.

Planned stopovers by Kivumbi in major trading centres have, according to local accounts, been met with visible voter apathy.

Some shop owners have reportedly closed their businesses during his visits, while others have chosen to walk away, accusing him of recycling “the same old rhetoric” and failing to address local concerns.

A key accusation levelled against Kivumbi by his critics is that he has largely deserted the constituency.

Residents point out that most of his investments are in Kampala and allege that he has not established a permanent residence in Butambala, instead staying at his mother’s home whenever he visits.

For many voters, this has become a symbol of detachment from everyday struggles in the area.

Further complicating his campaign are claims of a long-standing pattern of abrasive language and frequent clashes with local leaders, including members of the clergy and political figures at grassroots level.

These confrontations, analysts say, have inadvertently boosted the profile of his main challenger, Eriasa Mukiibi Serunjogi, a former journalist with the Nation Media Group, who is increasingly being viewed as a more approachable alternative.

Adding to the controversy are remarks attributed to the Speaker of Parliament, who publicly stated that she “works and eats” with Kivumbi.

In recent weeks, Kivumbi has also been spotted in the corridors of power alongside senior figures from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), fuelling speculation among voters about possible behind-the-scenes political deals.

As the campaign clock ticks down, Butambala politics appears anything but settled. With protest songs echoing across villages, public confrontations on the rise, and voter loyalties shifting, the constituency is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the run-up to January 2026.