BAMUTAKUDDE VILLAGE, MUKONO DISTRICT — For years, Solomon Sserwanja built a reputation by asking difficult questions, exposing wrongdoing and amplifying the voices of ordinary people through investigative journalism. Today, the award-winning journalist faces a different challenge: turning those same principles into grassroots leadership.
On July 28, 2026, residents of Bamutakudde Village in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, elected Sserwanja as their Local Council I (LCI) chairperson after a closely contested election in which he secured victory by just one vote — 6 to 5.
While the narrow margin underscored a divided electorate, Sserwanja says it also strengthened his resolve to serve every resident, regardless of how they voted.
“I won with a whisker—by six votes to five. That is very promising because it reminds me that leadership is about serving everyone,” he said in an exclusive interview.
For Sserwanja, the election was not the end of a campaign but the beginning of a new responsibility.
“My focus is to make the village grow and develop,” he said.
From Investigative Journalism to Community Leadership
Before venturing into local leadership, Sserwanja had already established himself as one of Uganda’s most respected investigative journalists.
He is the Executive Director of the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ) and previously worked with NBS Television, where he earned recognition as a news anchor, reporter and investigative journalist covering governance, accountability and social justice issues.
His career has also included roles at NTV Uganda, UBC TV and KTN News, giving him extensive experience in broadcast journalism across East Africa.
His work has received international recognition. In 2019, he won the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, one of Africa’s most prestigious journalism honours. He also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University and was selected as a United Nations Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellow in 2018.
Despite these achievements, Sserwanja believes the most valuable lesson journalism taught him was the importance of listening.
“Journalism teaches you to listen. When you listen carefully, people tell you their real challenges,” he said.
It is a philosophy he now hopes will define his leadership in Bamutakudde.
Listening Before Leading
Throughout the interview, Sserwanja’s phone rang repeatedly as residents called seeking guidance on community matters.
Each call reflected the realities of grassroots leadership, where accessibility often matters as much as policy.
At the start of the conversation, he smiled and said, “Are you set? We start.”
The simple remark captured the approachable leadership style that many residents say they voted for.
For Sserwanja, Bamutakudde is more than an administrative unit.
“It is home,” he said. “It is where I belong, and it deserves leadership that listens.”
A Development Agenda Built on Three Priorities
Sserwanja says his administration will focus on three key priorities: skills development, better community planning and economic empowerment.
“Skilling people, establishing village registers and empowering the community through development is my mission,” he said.
One of the first initiatives under consideration is a strategic planning retreat for the newly elected village leadership to identify the community’s most pressing challenges and develop practical solutions.
The leadership is also exploring the establishment of a village financial support framework to strengthen community-driven development initiatives.
“A village cannot develop without planning. We must first understand our challenges and organise ourselves,” he said.
Equipping Young People with Practical Skills
Sserwanja believes sustainable development starts with equipping young people with employable skills.
His proposed training programmes will focus on practical vocational skills such as electrical installation, plumbing and other trades that can enable residents to earn a living through self-employment.
The training sessions are expected to be conducted every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., outside church hours to allow residents to participate without disrupting worship.
“When people acquire practical skills, they create opportunities for themselves and improve the livelihoods of their families,” he said.
Water and Security Among Immediate Priorities
Beyond skills training, Sserwanja says improving access to clean water is a key priority.
He hopes to work with partners and development stakeholders to establish a borehole for the village.
“Clean water is essential. People cannot fully concentrate on development when they are struggling to meet basic needs,” he said.
He also intends to champion the installation of street lighting, arguing that improved security would create a safer environment for residents and support local business activities after dark.
Knowing Every Household
Another flagship proposal is the creation of a comprehensive village register.
According to Sserwanja, accurate community data is critical for effective planning, service delivery and ensuring that no resident is left behind.
The register would document households, identify community needs and improve coordination with institutions such as the Electoral Commission.
“Good leadership begins with knowing the people you serve,” he said.
Creating Local Economic Opportunities
Sserwanja also wants the village to become more economically self-reliant.
He revealed that Bamutakudde Village Catering Services has already been registered to provide services within the community, while plans are underway to establish an events management company.
He pledged to mobilise residents to fully utilise government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) by ensuring they understand available opportunities and how to access them.
The Real Test Begins Now
Winning by a single vote may have earned Solomon Sserwanja the mandate to lead, but he acknowledges that elections alone do not define leadership.
His success will ultimately be measured by whether young people acquire new skills, families gain access to clean water, local businesses grow and residents feel heard.
For a man whose journalism career was built on listening to ordinary citizens, he now faces the challenge of proving that listening can also transform a village.
In Bamutakudde, the ballots have been counted. The real work has only just begun.
The post THE SON WHOSE EARS ARE ON THE GROUND: How BBC Award-Winning Journalist Solomon Sserwanja Is Bringing Investigative Journalism Values to Bamutakudde Village Leadership appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.