Five cleared to race for Kalangala Woman MP seat
Islanders will go to the polls on the 24th of this month to cast their votes for who will replace the Late Hellen Nakimuli as a Woman MP.
Closing the nominations at Kalangala district headquarters council hall, the returning officer, Ronald Agaba, noted that five of the six aspirants who picked nomination forms fulfilled the requirements to contest for the seat. (Credit: Samuel Nkuba)
KALANGALA - The Electoral Commission has cleared five candidates who fulfilled the requirements to contest for the Kalanga Woman MP seat in the forthcoming byelection to replace the late Helen Nakimuli.
After two days of nominations (June 10-11), EC listed the suitable candidates as: Aidah Nabayiga of NRM, Irene Nampala of NUP, while Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Sharifah Babirye Kaala and Agnes Nassuuna are independent.
The district has two constituencies of Bujumba and Kyamuswa holding three legislative positions.
Closing the nominations at Kalangala district headquarters council hall, the returning officer, Ronald Agaba, noted that five of the six aspirants who picked nomination forms fulfilled the requirements to contest for the seat.
Several voters interviewed asked the candidates to focus on increasing schools in the island district and improving water transport to and from the mainland.
Emmanuel Kakeeto, a fisherman from Mazinga sub-county, appealed to legislators to focus on making a law that bans the importation of illegal nets, which tempt fishermen to engage in illegal fishing.
“Since the lake is our backbone, let the candidate who will emerge as the winner lead the formulation of this law in order to save our Lakes in Uganda,” he says.
Ronald Agaba handing over declaration papers to one of nominated candidate Agnes Nassuuna to contest on Woman MP seat for Kalangala district. (Credit: Samuel Nkuba)
Candidates' manifestos
Sharifah Babirye Kaala promises better prices for the oil palm Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) from the initial sh1,000 set in 2004>
Improved water transport with more modernised boats to work on inter-island connectivity is also a priority.
Agnes Nassuuna, a teacher, plans to lobby for improved technical education at lower level of primary schools to cater for PLE dropouts.
“Schools have huge pieces of land which we use to build more classes for vocational technical skills, our island children will face the world confidently,” she says.
Hon Fred Badda, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), cautioned groups or individuals whom she termed as "external campaigners" against causing any chaos.
"Islanders are always peaceful during the political seasons. We will provide security to every candidate who we expect to follow their campaigning programs promptly to avoid conflicts,” says Badda.
Islanders will go to the polls on the 24th of this month to cast their votes for who will replace the Late Hellen Nakimuli as a Woman MP.
Kalangala became an independent district from Masaka in 1989, opening more opportunities for more politicians vying for the district's women's seat.
Past leaders include:
▪️Noeline Namugenyi, who became the first Woman MP from 1989 to 1996
▪️Nsangi Kakembo from 1996 – 2001
▪️Ruth Nvumetta Kavuma held the seat for two terms from 2001 to 2011.
▪️Caroline Nanyondo Birungi 2011 – 2016
▪️Aidah Nabayiga from 2016 to 2021.
Helen Nakimuli, who reigned from 2021 to 2026, also won the seat for the second time for the 2026- 2031 term.
A few days before her swearing in for the second term, Nakimuli, aged 40, died on April 19th, 2026, at the Alexandros Medical Centre in Kampala, following complications from a surgical procedure.