Last year, she also competed for the Kayunga district chairman LC V by-election on the National Unity Platform ticket. She lost to NRM’s Andrew Muwonge and is currently in court challenging his victory. A jolly and soft-spoken person, Nakwedde talked to Quick Talk in Kayunga recently.
Hello….
Hmmmm…. What do you want this time? You know journalists are not easy nowadays.
A reply to my simple ‘hello’ is not bad, though.
[Bursts into laughter] I am okay, anyway. I am still fighting for justice to be declared the duly-elected LC V chairperson for Kayunga district.
Oh, you still badly want that seat?
Why not? It was given to us by the people of Kayunga. Today, everyone confesses that I am the elected chairperson, including the person who was fixed in that chair. We call him an impostor.
By January 3, 2022, we had filed a petition and are still waiting for a hearing date to be fixed. However, we still believe in our overwhelming evidence and no judge will risk not to declare us winners.
And if the judge rules otherwise….
We shall have scored again by exposing the judiciary.
Who is Harriet Nakwedde?
I am a simple person. My appearance may not reflect my true character, but I am a kind woman.
You came out prominently in the 2021 Kayunga by-election yet you have been engaged before in other positions like Woman member of parliament for Kayunga.
My journey to have a better Uganda did not start with the Kayunga by-election. My political journey started in 2000. In 2006, I first contested for Kayunga Woman MP against Florence Nayiga Ssekabira. In 2011, I bounced back to challenge Idah Nantaba and Florence Ssekabira.
I didn’t make it in those two years. The journey is not always soft and we had to move on. In 2016, I came for the district woman councilor and this position allowed me to serve as the minister for Education for five years. In 2021, you remember that contentious election between me and Nantaba for Kayunga woman MP, we were rigged and I ran to court.
Sadly, you lost miserably to her.
Yes, we lost the court case. Nantaba wanted more than [Shs] 200 million but we are going to start paying her. This is not a struggle for Nakwedde, but for the people of Kayunga. We are going to mobilize and pay her.
Are you joining the race again in 2026?
Akabuuza jjako! [No question about it]. People are already addressing me as the Kayunga Woman MP.
You are a teacher by profession. Why are you not practicing?
That is very true, but you know how people complete their education in Uganda and there are no jobs. So, I am now into politics to fight for other children who will study and their parents do not have to bribe to have them employed.
What do you do to earn a living?
I am a farmer dealing in maize, pineapples and bananas, among others.
Can you share with me your education background?
Haaaaaa. I don’t have a PhD because that’s what most people want to hear. I am from Kasota village in Busaana sub-county, Kayunga. I went to Nongo C/U primary school for five years and completed primary seven at Kyayaye R/C primary school in Kayunga. I joined Busaana SS for O-level and was later sent to Bukoyo SS in Iganga for A-level.
I passed well and joined Makerere University on government sponsorship where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education. When I finished school, I started teaching History and Divinity as well as engaged in politics. The pay in education was dismal; so, I decided to actively resort to politics.
Any plans for further studies?
I hold a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Makerere University Business School and I’m now undertaking a degree in Law at Kampala International University. I am in my second year, but took a dead year because of the by-election. When I complete the petition process, I will go back and complete my course.
How would you describe the Kayunga by-election?
Whatever you saw in Kayunga summarized the 2021 general elections; torture, bribery, intimidation, [and] rigging, among others, were the order of the day.
How did you end up being beaten a day to the by-election?
On that day, I couldn’t tell the direction of the cane which left a permanent scar on my face. I remember armed men surrounded us with batons and big sticks. In no minute, I was on the ground and bleeding.
Then, images of you with plasters were all over social media. Mbu the plasters kept changing position…
When I joined the struggle to liberate this country, I prepared myself for everything including social media propaganda. I was surprised that fellow women online ridiculed me and how the wound was shifting from the left to right side of the face. No matter the intimidation, I didn’t give up and here I am.
When did you last cry?
Yesterday. I am running a campaign to take pregnant girls back to school in Kayunga. When I received a list of the girls to support, there were girls in primary five who are already young mothers. I got emotional and cried. Politically, we don’t cry in public to scare people but this was too much for me.
So, when you were beaten, you did not cry in public?
Hoooo! Byannuma nnyo (it was very painful) but I cried after getting inside the car and at home.
Your happiest moment in life?
When I help people in need.
Are you in any relationship?
Oh, yes. I am married to Mr Robert Nangatsa with children. My first child is in senior three, another in middle class, and the last-born – for now – is homeschooling. But I have more children under my care.
What attracted you to Mr Nangatsa?
That’s a funny question. Hahahaha…. what attracts women to men? I think my response is not necessary here…[Eh! Hmmm….]
Did Mr Nangatsa provide a shoulder for you to cry on after the beating?
When I reached home, of course, he said sorry and told me not to give up on the struggle.
Who’s your favorite politician?
I have many because each stands out. Currently, I like the braveness of Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze. For men, I like the Mityana [Municipality] MP, Francis Zzaake, for his resilience.
And the worst politician….
[Instantly] That’s President Museveni and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. The other one who cries and doesn’t deliver. When I mention her name you will say it is because I contested against her and she won the court case.
If you met her, what would you tell her?
That “you have disappointed the people of Kayunga”. We go into these positions not to empower ourselves alone but also to help others. If you look behind you and there’s no long line of people, then you have wasted that position.
I rarely see you wearing makeup. [Today, it’s only a little red lipstick with a natural skin that exposes her dark scar below the left eye]
`Makeup is not my thing! You need a lot of time to do those things yet I need to catch up on the struggle. I want a natural look that I can defend anytime in public.
Do you meet with NUP head Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu?
Yes. He inspires me a lot. When I grow up, I want to be like him. Museveni should let him move with ease so that he meets more people and we push the struggle.
Do you wear anything besides dresses?
I am a very traditional village woman. You will either find me in long dresses or gomesi. However, I have no problem with women wearing trousers as long as they are comfortable.
How do you spend your free time?
You will not find me in social places, unfortunately. I attend parties with my friends because they’ve been there for me.
nangonzi@observer.ug
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