Activist Gideon Nova Kwikiriza has defended his earlier remarks directed at former Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda following criticism over his comments on the politician’s delayed entry into social media.
Kwikiriza had earlier welcomed Ssemujju to the X platform but questioned why the veteran legislator had stayed away from digital spaces during his time in Parliament.
His comments sparked mixed reactions online, with some accusing him of being disrespectful, while others backed his position on political communication in the digital age.
Responding to the backlash, Kwikiriza maintained that his remarks had been misunderstood and insisted that his argument was centred on accountability, accessibility, and modern governance practices.
“Whoever is claiming that my welcome message to Ssemujju Nganda was rude has completely missed the point,” he said.
He pointed to the increasing integration of technology in public service, arguing that leaders cannot afford to remain detached from platforms where citizens increasingly engage with governance issues.
“In an era where taxpayers are funding a UGX 2.5 million tablet for every Member of Parliament, and where a significant portion of the population gets information and engages leaders through social media, it is difficult to justify a leader deliberately staying away from these platforms,” he added.
Kwikiriza further acknowledged Ssemujju’s long political record, describing him as one of Uganda’s notable legislators. However, he maintained that longevity in leadership should not translate into resistance to change.
“Hon. Ssemujju has been a good legislator, arguably one of the finest Uganda has produced. However, over time, he appeared to develop the belief that he was irreplaceable, and one manifestation of that was his persistent refusal to embrace social media despite its growing importance in public engagement,” he said.
He stressed that public office bearers must evolve with communication trends, especially as citizens increasingly rely on digital platforms for political discourse, scrutiny, and civic participation.
“It is therefore not unreasonable to point out that leaders, especially those at the highest levels, must adapt to changing times and remain accessible to the people they represent,” Kwikiriza noted.
Despite the criticism he has faced, the activist reiterated that his message was not meant as an attack but as a broader reflection on leadership culture and accountability in Uganda’s evolving political landscape.
“Once again, Hon. Ssemujju is very welcome. But his experience should serve as a lesson to other leaders: no position is permanent, no leader is irreplaceable, and staying connected to the public through modern communication platforms is no longer optional,” he said.