Mityana Woman MP: The issue of disowning Mpuuga caused a deep rift between incumbent Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa and the party leadership, and although she is popular among the electorate, it is not clear whether the party leadership will pardon her.
Mukono NRM Candidate Attempted to Steal Guns from Police, Says Deputy RDC
In the ongoing bid to identify bona fide and true-to-heart supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to be given the party cards to tussle with other parties in the 2026 general elections, top party echelons have got into a search to identify the level of popularity enjoyed by the candidates, their subordination to the party, education levels and other requirements.
The party has set a rating where popularity carries 60 points, humility, obedience, education levels and others carry 40 points. The modalities to be followed in getting the right ratings remains an inside issue.
Our sources have indicated that the search has come out with the following rating in areas so far covered by the NUP team.
Amaziga mu kulonda kwa NRM e Mukono-poliisi ekubye omu ku bavuganya Ssenyonga bubi nnyo!!!
Katikamu South: Although the incumbent MP, Hassan Kirumira is still a voters’ darling, he still has an uphill task to prove that lawyer Michael Kintu will not surpass him especially in popularity.
Bukomansimbi Woman: Since Veronica Nanyondo withdrew her signature on the list of people willing to pass a vote of no confidence in Mathias Mpuuga as the commissioner of Parliament, she was considered as being treacherous by party cohorts.
She has to battle with Nalukenge Satitto, Faridah Nakabugo and Shakirah Nakato, all wishing to be given the card to stand as MPs.
Jinja: David Agha Isabirye who recently crossed from FDC, still has a task of convincing the party that he is better than other contenders including artiste, Hussein Muyonjo ‘Swengere’ and Ramathan Nanga.
Mukono North: Incumbent Abdallah Kiwanuka Mulimamayuuni who seems to be having no contender for the card, has the advantage of being at the forefront in pleading for party supporters bogged down in legal complexities.
Nakifuma: Fred Kaggwa Ssimbwa is being blamed for being a ‘silent’ legislator, although he has put down some viable projects, including having led a team of legislators to go and contribute for the construction of a health unit in Nakifuma.
His opponent Sulaiman Kiwanuka has the advantage of having been down with the people since he lost the election in 2021. Kiwanuka has been on ground mobilizing the communities and making contributions to different individuals in case he is called upon.
Unlike Ssimbwa, Kiwanuka has always been available, attending community functions in the constituency.
Mukono Municipality: Though the incumbent, Betty Nambooze Bakireke has a line of hopeful contenders including Daniel Lugoloobi, James Kateete and James Ssenyonjo, she seems to be a step higher than all of them. Since the decision by youthful lawyer, George Musisi to shift interest to Kira Municipality, Nambooze overcame the spate of sleepless nights.
Kampala Woman MP:
There is a battle over who to give the card, while many think KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika is a formidable force and supportive of her decision to discard the Makindye seat and vie for Kampala, the party boss Kyagulanyi Sentamu seems to be bent on supporting Shamim Malende.
This is explicitly evidenced by his frequent visit to Malende while in Nairobi in hospital, and her pro bono legal services to party supporters held up in legal battles.
Makindye East: The battle is between the incumbent Derrick Nyeko, Robert Ssekidde and Calvin Bakulumpagi. Voters are divided on whether Nyeko has lobbied for the area, or not.
Mawokota South: The youthful Mpigi district chairman, Martin Ssejjemba has been fielded to tussle with lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi. Although he is currently jailed in issues associated with corruption, the party seems to be supportive of his candidature.
Luweero: Incumbent woman MP Brenda Nabukenya is set to struggle with Sumayiah Namiiro, but the odds are in favour of Nabukenya.
Nansana: Many people are chasing the NUP card but the real struggle is between media personality, Blasio Zambaali Mukasa, singer Ibrahim Mayanja a.k.a Big Eye and John Bosco Sserunkuuma.
Masaka City Woman: The seat as far as NUP is concerned, is vacant following the shift to Mpuuga’s Democratic Front by the incumbent, Juliet Kakande. Two people vying for it include former Assistant chief, Mengo’s Ppookino Rose Nalubowa, and Sauyah Nanyonga. The former seems to have an upper hand given her wide experience in leadership skills.
Nakawa Mayor: There is a heated battle between incumbent Paul Mugambe and Ali Buken (Nubian Li). NUP leaders seem to prefer Nubian Li but the voters have an unconcealed yearning for Mugambe.
At the same time, the assistant to NUP spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro is interested in Nakawa East seat currently occupied by Eng. Balimwezo. Mutungo Zone 8 councillor Vianney Muwonge said they are not ready to accept any Tom Dick and Harry as their representative.
Mukono South: Five people including former Buganda Caucus chair in the 9th parliament, Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga, Wilson Male, who is currently holding the card, Merabu Nalumu Kiriggwajjo, former Makerere Guild President Wilson Male Robert Maseruka, and Robert Kikulwe.
Ssenyonga seems to have an upper hand, having a lot of leadership expertise, he is the proprietor of schools in the constituency, and is known as a ready assisting aide to communities.
Maseruka has support but many think he should begin with lower local government levels. Male’s dilemma is that he got the card last time and lost the bid to DP’s Fred Kayondo who is still a strong man.
Wakiso Woman MP: Harriet Nantege and Sylvia Namutyana who want to dislodge incumbent Betty Ethel Naluyima are being engaged in reconciliation not to disorganize Naluyima, who is still seen as a formidable force to effectively take on opponents from other parties.
Gomba East: The battle is still between MP Godfrey Ssaazi and Flavia Namulindwa. Both are popular at the NUP headquarters. The decision by Eddie Yawe, Bobi Wine’s brother, to change hearts and drop his desire for the same post, has not in any way simplified the matter of choosing who of the two is a stronger one.
Mityana Woman MP: The issue of disowning Mpuuga caused a deep rift between incumbent Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa and the party leadership, and although she is popular among the electorate, it is not clear whether the party leadership will pardon her. Other interested parties include Prossie Mukisa Nabbosa who is said to be supported by MP Francis Zaake, and Faustina Nalubega Bitaano.
Kyaddondo East: Area MP Muwanda Nkunyingi is fighting tooth and nail to retain his seat, and indicators are that he will get the card. His concerted struggle as a shadow minister has helped him to retain the popularity, in addition to his struggle to develop women and youth programmes.
Those wishing to unseat him include Khalid Ssimbwa and Kasangati Town Council Chairperson, Tom Muwonge.
Busiro South: Wakiso district chairman Matia Lwanga Bwanika is facing off with MP Charles Matovu. Bwanika is banking on his support among lovers of the kingdom of Buganda, the Catholic church and lovers of the environment.
But some circles fault him for insufficient humility to the party, while Matovu’s undoing according to voters, is failure to relay their views to parliament given his quietness in the house.