In Mukono Municipality, a familiar face is stepping back into the political arena. Margaret Nattabi, former Female Youth Councillor and 88th Vice Guild President of Makerere University, has officially submitted her expression of interest to run for a second term in office.
Her comeback is more than a quest to retain a seat. It is a renewed call for grassroots transformation and youth empowerment.
“Today, I have brought back my expression of interest forms for the position of Female Youth Councillor of Mukono Municipality,” Nattabi said with determination. “Yes, I want to lead the youth of Mukono Municipality once again for a second term.”
Her re-entry into the race comes at a time when youth engagement in politics is increasingly urgent and complex.
Nattabi aims to build on the foundation she laid in her previous term by improving strategies to reach and organise the youth more effectively.
During her first term, she focused on ICT training, financial literacy workshops, and livelihood projects such as poultry and piggery farming. She acknowledges that not all initiatives were successful.
“We tried to support youth with small income-generating projects, but some of them did not follow through to completion,” she said. “This time, we are not just giving out support. We are building structures.”
Nattabi has already begun forming youth groups and cooperatives in preparation for accessing government funding through programs such as youth livelihood programs.
She notes that many young people missed out on earlier opportunities due to disorganisation and lack of guidance.
“We have started organising the youth even before the election. We are setting up savings circles and cooperatives so that when funding opportunities come, they are ready to use them wisely,” she explained.
Nattabi is not on this journey alone. She is receiving strong support from Dr Shamim Nyambasa, the 87th Guild President of Makerere University and a fellow member of the National Unity Platform. Their alliance is based on years of shared activism and advocacy.
“I have seen her grow. We have grown together. We are women of the same generation,” Dr Nyambasa said. “She has spoken out on issues that matter and has paid the price through arrests and intimidation, yet she has never backed down.”
Dr Nyambasa also urged young people not to fear associating with opposition figures, noting that some of the boldest voices on youth matters often emerge from outside the ruling establishment.
A Smooth Party Process
As candidates rushed to meet the deadline for submitting their forms, Mukono Municipality constituency registrar Richard Lugoloobi praised the calm and successful conduct of the exercise.
“This process started on June 2 and ends today, the 23rd,” he said. “So far, we have received over two hundred expressions of interest.”
He explained that candidates were allowed to submit forms physically at the constituency, sub-regional or headquarters offices, or use an online platform.
However, most candidates preferred delivering their forms in person due to challenges with internet access.
“We created multiple submission points to prevent tampering or loss of forms. If a form goes missing at the constituency level, it can be retrieved from the sub-region or the main office,” Lugoloobi said.
Although the Mukono process was largely peaceful, Lugoloobi noted that some youth elections in other areas were marred by incidents of bribery and intimidation.
These issues reinforce Nattabi’s argument for stronger youth organisation and improved transparency at the local level.
A Vision Beyond 2026
Nattabi’s campaign is not just about winning another term. It is about preparing young leaders to take over when her time in office ends.
“We are preparing others who will take over when we leave in 2031,” she said.
Her message is built on accountability, mentorship, and long-term planning. It reflects a shift from handouts to structures, from short-term relief to sustained transformation.
As the political landscape in Mukono continues to evolve and young people raise their expectations of leadership, Margaret Nattabi’s return to the race is both timely and symbolic.
Her candidacy is not just political. It is deeply personal and grounded in the promise of a more empowered and organised youth community.