Sheikh Kamulegeya, the father of Hajji Obed Kamulegeya, one of the individuals detained alongside opposition figure Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye over treason-related allegations, has publicly praised President Yoweri Museveni, describing his leadership as exceptional and praying for his continued longevity.
Sheikh Kamulegeya made the remarks during the grand launch of the Kampala Marriott Hotel, a new five-star double-tower property along Ggaba Road in Nsambya, Kampala. The event was presided over by President Museveni, who attended as the Guest of Honour.
His comments have attracted attention because of the circumstances surrounding his son, who is currently being held at Luzira Prison in connection with allegations of treason alongside Besigye and other co-accused persons.
Rather than using the high-profile occasion to criticize the government or raise concerns about his son’s detention, Sheikh Kamulegeya used his address to commend Museveni and his approach to governance.
He went as far as praying for the President to live long enough to continue leading Uganda, arguing that Museveni’s style of leadership is difficult to match.
“Which other head of state moves around to meet the poorest citizens and hands them capital to start businesses through the Parish Development Model like Museveni? I pray for your long life,” Sheikh Kamulegeya stated.
The remarks are likely to generate debate, particularly among Ugandans who have followed the cases involving Besigye and his co-accused closely. Besigye, a long-time critic of Museveni and a former presidential candidate, has for years accused the government of political persecution and suppression of opposition voices.
The contrast between Sheikh Kamulegeya’s praise of the President and his son’s legal predicament has therefore drawn considerable public interest.
The Parish Development Model (PDM), which Sheikh Kamulegeya referenced in his remarks, is one of the government’s flagship poverty-reduction programmes. The initiative seeks to move households from subsistence production into the money economy by providing financing and supporting economic activities at parish level.
Museveni has repeatedly defended the programme as an important tool for improving household incomes, particularly among low-income Ugandans.
The President’s supporters have often cited the PDM and other government programmes as evidence of his administration’s efforts to address poverty and expand economic opportunities. Critics, however, have raised concerns over implementation, accountability and the effectiveness of public funds reaching intended beneficiaries.
Sheikh Kamulegeya’s intervention at the Kampala Marriott launch comes at a politically sensitive time, as attention remains focused on the prosecution and detention of opposition figures and their associates.
His comments also highlight the complex political attitudes that can emerge around Uganda’s long-serving President, with individuals whose families have become entangled in politically sensitive cases sometimes expressing support for Museveni’s administration.
For Sheikh Kamulegeya, however, the message was clear: despite the controversy surrounding his son’s detention, he believes Museveni’s leadership deserves recognition and has publicly called for the President to be granted a long life.
The remarks are now likely to fuel discussions over the relationship between political allegiance, family circumstances and public opinion in Uganda, particularly as the country continues to grapple with heated debates over governance, opposition politics and the rule of law.
