Godfrey Aine Kaguta, popularly known as Sodo, has officially been nominated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to contest in the party primaries for Mawogola North, reigniting a political rivalry with Shartsi Musherure Kutesa that began in the 2021 elections.
Speaking to journalists at the NRM headquarters in Kyadondo, Kampala, shortly after his nomination, Sodo expressed deep disappointment in Shartsi, daughter of former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, for allegedly going against a 2021 State House agreement. Sodo claims that during a family meeting convened at State House Entebbe ahead of the 2021 general elections—attended by President Yoweri Museveni, Gen Salim Saleh, Lt-Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and other key figures—Shartsi had agreed not to contest again in 2026, paving the way for him to return.
“We agreed, and everyone knows who was in that meeting. I am disappointed,” Sodo told the media. “But I don’t have a problem, because even last time in the primaries, I won my election.”
In 2021, Sodo had won the NRM primaries, defeating Shartsi Musherure. However, amid rising tensions and reports of clashes between supporters, a closed-door family meeting led to his controversial withdrawal from the general election race just hours before voting day. Shartsi went on to win the seat, but Sodo’s supporters remained bitter and divided, with many abstaining or shifting allegiance.
Now, as the 2026 general elections approach, the stage appears set for a political rematch in Sembabule District, with Sodo confident of repeating his primary win. His remarks suggest a brewing showdown in the NRM, especially if Musherure insists on staying in the race despite prior understandings.
While Musherure has yet to publicly respond to Sodo’s claims, the matter has revived old tensions in the ruling party’s ranks in Sembabule, once a stronghold of Kutesa’s political empire. The outcome of the primaries will likely reshape both local and national political alignments ahead of the 2026 elections.
