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Florent Kyombo, the outgoing MP, hopes voters will choose stability over change. Photo: Courtesy
By Mutayoba Arbogast
Radio Kasibante FM in Bukoba has become more than just a broadcaster—it’s evolving into a mirror of the community's political heartbeat.
Under the steady guidance of presenter Richard Kalumuna and his team, the Mchakamchaka segment has created a platform where citizens can hear directly from the individuals vying to represent them, especially those aligned with the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
What makes it compelling isn’t just the interviews themselves, but the tone—real conversations, human moments, aspirations, and sometimes quiet admissions of past missteps or dreams left on hold.
In recent months, the spotlight has shifted toward Missenyi constituency, previously known as Nkenge. Though the borders changed back in 2007 when it was carved out of Bukoba Rural, one tradition has held firm: no MP has ever managed to serve back-to-back terms.
It's a curiosity that locals often talk about—a kind of unspoken rhythm to the area’s political cycle. But this year, with new faces and returning veterans stepping forward, some are wondering if that pattern might finally break.
The 2022 census reported a population of 245,384 in Missenyi—more women than men—and it’s a district rich in potential, both economically and socially.
Over the airwaves of Kasibante FM, three notable figures have already taken the mic to share their visions for its future.
Evance Kamenge was one of the most recent guests, joining the program live on June 10. At just 33, his presence carries the kind of energy that resonates with younger listeners.
People don’t just listen to him because he’s young—they listen because they see someone who speaks their language in this era of science, tech, and innovation.
Kamenge isn’t just talking change; he's already modeling it. His ventures in agriculture—like a 200-acre banana farm and a herd of 200 cattle—aren’t just business ventures; they serve as live training grounds for youth, teaching them how to farm smart and think big.
He’s employed many and inspired more, and when he speaks of turning Lake Victoria into a resource that works for the youth through sustainable fishing projects, you get the sense he’s not just making campaign promises—he’s extending his day-to-day reality into a broader vision.
Then there’s Assumpter Mshama, a familiar name with a new approach. A former MP from 2010, she’s back with a renewed focus—this time aiming to tackle the region’s banana surplus through industrial innovation.
Evance Kamenge: Photo: Courtesy
Speaking on Kasibante FM, she painted a vivid picture: banana stems turned into carpets and dreadlocks, blossoms into insecticides, and the bananas themselves processed into fufu, a staple food product popular in places like the U.S., Ghana, and Uganda.
She plans to open the Bitoke Milling Company in Byeju village, Mutukula ward—a factory not just to process crops, but to breathe life into a local economy where food sometimes rots for lack of buyers. Her approach isn’t only about innovation; it’s deeply tied to community empowerment.
She recalls how she once mobilized women into forming Vicoba groups, giving them access to financial tools and a pathway out of poverty. Her campaign feels less like a political comeback and more like unfinished business.
Florent Kyombo, the current MP whose term is drawing to a close, hopes voters will see continuity as a strength.
He is proud of the role he has played in advancing the government’s infrastructure projects—roads, schools, clinics, and clean water systems.
He speaks with conviction about bringing Missenyi together, emphasizing the progress made in local revenue collection—over 6.2 billion shillings in 2022/23, placing the district 15th nationwide.
He’s especially hopeful about the recently announced international airport to be built in Missenyi, which he believes will drive investment and job creation, transforming the district into a thriving economic zone.
Assumpter Mshama: Photo: Courtesy
But with all achievements come questions. Critics argue that while Kyombo has implemented government projects effectively, they’re still waiting to see his mark—an innovation or initiative that stands as his legacy, separate from the district’s development machinery.
So far, he’s offered little in response, but some say that may be a calculated move. After all, seasoned politicians know when to speak—and when silence serves them better.
Amid these competing visions, one sentiment often echoed by Missenyi residents stands out: politics should not blind us to humanity.
As one elder told Kasibante FM, “Let us not humiliate our leaders or each other in this political season. We all live here. We’ll still see each other at church, at the market, and family events. Let’s choose wisely—but with compassion.”
In the end, Kasibante FM isn’t just chronicling a campaign season—it’s holding up a lens to the evolving identity of a community.
Through the voices of candidates, it reveals what the people care about most: leadership that listens, understands, and dares to build, not just buildings or roads, but a future that feels possible.