Not until you hear Mr Mwesigwa Grace (Obondo) aka Size 22 speak, you won’t realise a real man is inhabiting the small body of arguably Bugiri’s shortest man.
Shockingly, Mwesigwa happens to be one of the sub-region’s outspoken defenders of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), for which he speaks as a panelist on the various radio stations.
For his uncompromisable attitude while defending his party against negative opposition propaganda, Obondo has gained enemies and admirers almost in equal measure.
Having been a pioneer Parish Councillor at Bugiri Eastern Division as Bugiri Municipality cut its teeth in 2018, the astute NRM defender gained notoriety for publicly humiliating his fellow councillors whom he accused of sharing evil money in bribes at the expense of the public.
In 2021, he is credited for having vigorously pushed for the current Chairman of the district, Kasajja Davidson Mulumba to be elected, including defending his vote when it was under threat from vote rigging.
Barely two years after the elections, Mwesigwa has since declared his intention to vie for the very office he endorsed Mulumba for. This has, however, not come without the bother of explaining to his soon-to-be voters why he has suddenly found the man he traded to then not so long ago, unfit for the job. Even though he labours to explain that this is entirely driven by a desire to make things better for Bugiri, not all people seem to be taking it easily.
Last week, Mwesigwa graduated with a diploma in Social Work and Social Administration, a milestone he says brings him closer to being able to efficiently serve his people should he get their trust.
In whether his decision to go back to school was entirely driven by his political ambition, Mwesigwa, also commonly known as “2-inch man” narrates his sombre childhood which he says has inspired him consistently to reach where many never saw him going.
” I have had a dream of attaining the highest levels in academics. I was raised by a peasant mother after my father died when I was 3 years old. I never had the chance to get a quality education and I think I can achieve it on my own. This is not about politics. It’s about my desire to add more value to myself. ” He affirms.
He returned to school in 2008 for a Certificate in Public Administration from Busoga University before enrolling at Kumi University two years ago. He is determined to return to the lecture room early next year to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in what he says is just the beginning of the journey in a long academic journey that lies ahead.
Mwesigwa remains a household name among radio listeners in Busoga having been a media panellist of the ruling party under the Office of the President. He has often put the opposition on tenterhooks with his tantalizing presentations on the airwaves.
He attributes his political growth to the good mentorship he has received from his party under the tutelage of good teachers like Kirunda Faruk- the Deputy Press Secretary to President Museveni and Presidency Minister Milly Babalanda under who her first served as a media panellist.
“Most of my time I worked with NGOs like Yefaap Bugiri patterning with other NGOs like Straight Talk, RHU, Goal and also managed a public examination hall called Bugiri Hall where different students good sit for UCE, UACE and business exams before joining the political world,” he says as he beams with pride.
He says he has harboured a dream for a better district which has been shattered by leaders he trusted but ended up disappointing the voters.
” I brought Mulumba because I, just like most people in Bugiri, was dissatisfied with his predecessor, Hajji Malijan Azaalwa about service delivery and transparency. Unfortunately, the two have turned out to be identical and I find no option but to step forward myself as I apologise for the unfulfilled promises we made together.” Explains the LCV hopeful.
Unsurprisingly, Mwesigwa has had to contend with questions from his prospective voters over his size.
” I have had to address concerns about my size and height. Some have confronted me directly while others have used proxies. Some are pushed by my rivals who desperately try to push a narrative that a man should be very tall to manage a district,” he narrates with a smile on his face.
All in all, I tell them one thing; we work more with the brain than the body. I also exemplify some short men who ho have exceedingly excelled in serving their communities, such as Gabula of Iganga, and former Namayingo District Chairman, Mr Obondo. Also applicable is that popular giant kickboxer, Moses Golola is not Uganda’s president but Museveni.
