However, some voters said Nambooze’s decision to hold her post-swearing-in celebration outside Mukono left many supporters feeling excluded from what they considered an important political milestone.
Residents and supporters of Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze Bakireke have expressed concern over her decision to hold her first post-swearing-in celebration outside the constituency, saying the move denied ordinary voters an opportunity to share in the milestone with their legislator.
Nambooze, who was yesterday, Wednesday May 13, 2026 sworn in as Mukono Municipality MP, reportedly travelled directly from Parliament to Kiwatule Recreation Centre in Kampala for a thanksgiving and prayer gathering. She was accompanied by her husband and children before later being joined by Mukono District Woman MP Sheilla Amaniyo Draville.
Before attending the Kiwatule event, Amaniyo reportedly toured several markets within Mukono Municipality, where traders and residents had gathered following the parliamentary swearing-in ceremony.
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However, some voters said Nambooze’s decision to hold her post-swearing-in celebration outside Mukono left many supporters feeling excluded from what they considered an important political milestone.
Farouk Mulumba, a boda boda rider operating in Mukono Central Division, said residents had expected the legislator to return home and celebrate with the people who voted for her.
“We wanted to celebrate our MP here in Mukono because we stood with her during the campaigns and elections. Even a simple gathering would have been enough for the people,” Mulumba said.
Another resident, James Kafeero, also a boda boda rider, said many supporters could not travel to Kiwatule despite receiving mobilisation messages through various WhatsApp groups.
“We saw messages asking people to go to Kiwatule, but for many ordinary supporters, transport alone was difficult. We missed the opportunity to share the joy with our leader,” Kafeero noted.
Political observers say such celebrations often carry symbolic importance because they allow elected leaders to reconnect with supporters immediately after assuming office.
Analysts argue that holding a first victory or thanksgiving event outside the constituency can be interpreted by some voters as political detachment, especially in urban constituencies where leaders depend heavily on grassroots mobilisation.
They emphasized that voters typically expect their representatives to prioritise visibility and accessibility after major political milestones, particularly following a swearing-in ceremony that marks the beginning of a new parliamentary term.
Some residents further argued that a celebration within Mukono Municipality would have fostered a stronger sense of ownership among supporters while giving traders, youth and local leaders an opportunity to interact directly with their MP.
Others, however, defended Nambooze, saying leaders are entitled to organise private family celebrations at venues of their choice and that political performance should not be judged solely on the location of a thanksgiving event.
The development has nevertheless sparked debate among supporters over how elected leaders balance personal preferences with public expectations in the early days of a new political term.