18 nominated to contest for parliamentary seats in Buikwe

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In Buikwe district, 18 parliamentary candidates will feature on the ballot paper in the 2026 general elections after being successfully nominated on the first day of the parliamentary nominations on Wednesday (October 22).

Buikwe district returning officer Moses Kagona confirmed and announced their nomination.

For the district woman MP seat, four candidates were cleared: incumbent Diana Mutasingwa Nankunda Kagyenyi (NRM), who also currently serves as the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice-President, Faridah Nabatanzi (NUP), Harriet Nankabirwa (independent) and Nantanda Madina (independent).

Mutasingwa said that if given another chance to serve, she will fight against land grabbing and work to improve healthcare and education across Buikwe.

Her challenger, Nabatanzi, said he district has not been represented well in Parliament for the last two terms under Judith Babirye and Mutasingwa. In her pitch to voters, Nabatanzi said she is a daughter of the soil who understands the district’s challenges.

Nankabirwa emphasised her commitment to combating rampant land grabbing in the district.

For the Buikwe South MP seat, four candidates were nominated. David Mutebi Ronnie (NRM) pledged to transform Buikwe through the implementation of the NRM manifesto, while Dr Lulume Bayiga Michael (PFF) promised to focus on improving service delivery, restoring the environment, and replanting destroyed forests.



Enock Kaluba (independent) pledged to champion the interests of Buikwe residents and propose people-centred laws. Dr Anthony Hariss Mukasa, who served as MP for Buikwe from 2001 to 2008, said he has returned to revive the district’s progress.

In Lugazi Municipality, three candidates were nominated. Isaac Mulindwa Ssozzi (NRM), Richard Ssenteza (independent), and Ivan Ssekito (independent) all promised to serve and represent the people of Lugazi effectively if elected.

For the Njeru Municipality MP seat, seven candidates were cleared by the Electoral Commission. They are:

Incumbent Jimmy Lwanga (independent), Kabuye Badru Mpoza (NRM), Muyombya Richard (FDC), Moses Lukanga Musanje (NUP), Ceaser Kalema (independent), Njaka Hassan (independent), and Paul Musoke Ssebulime (independent).

Seeking re-election, Lwanga pledged to work tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of Njeru and the poor roads. Musanje pledged to tackle key challenges facing the people of Njeru, including land grabbing, improving service delivery (particularly in health and clean water), and waste management. 

Richard Muyombya emphasised that he is to start with the minimum wage issue since Njeru is an industrial town, saying that many people in Njeru work in different areas, but their pay and treatment are very low.

District returning officer Kagona said the nomination exercise had progressed smoothly on the opening day. He urged all nominated candidates to adhere to electoral laws and the Electoral Commission’s guidelines throughout the process.