At the end of the process, Nampala emerged top with 68.2 percent. Jesica Nassiwa Tushabe finished second with 48.7 percent, while Mary Nakitende polled 45.7 percent.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has endorsed Irene Nampala, the sister of the late Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli, as its official flag bearer for the upcoming by-election in the island district.
Nampala was unveiled on Thursday after emerging winner in an internal party selection process conducted by the NUP Election Management Committee at the party headquarters.
Her endorsement is seen by many within the party as an effort to preserve Nakimuli’s political legacy and maintain the close relationship the late legislator built with voters in Kalangala.
Speaking while announcing the results, the committee chairperson Harriet Chemutai revealed that 14 women had initially shown interest in contesting on the NUP ticket, although only 13 completed the vetting stage and proceeded to the ground assessment exercise.
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Chemutai explained that the final outcome was determined through a combined scoring system in which vetting accounted for 40 percent, while findings from the field survey carried 60 percent.
At the end of the process, Nampala emerged top with 68.2 percent. Jesica Nassiwa Tushabe finished second with 48.7 percent, while Mary Nakitende polled 45.7 percent.
“We request everyone to support Irene Nampala as the party flag bearer,” Chemutai said.
The by-election follows the death of Hellen Nakimuli earlier this year after an illness, a development that triggered competition among several women seeking to carry the opposition party’s banner in Kalangala.
The race has since attracted significant public attention, largely due to the emotional attachment many residents still have to Nakimuli and her leadership.
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Sources in Kalangala indicate that members of Nakimuli’s family strongly supported Nampala’s candidature, arguing that she is best placed to continue her sister’s political vision and connection with constituents.
Other aspirants who took part in the NUP process included Roy Nakigozi, Aisha Nattayi, Irene Nakanwagi and Beatrice Nanyomo, among others.
Meanwhile, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has already endorsed former Kalangala District Woman MP Aidah Nabayiga for the same seat, setting up what is expected to be a closely contested by-election.
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, nominations will take place on June 4 and June 5, campaigns will run until June 22, and polling is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
