Presidential candidate Eng. Mabirizi dares to dream again, fronts federal system, institutional representation
Mabirizi first appeared on the Presidential election ballot in 2016 as a candidate of the little-known The Independents Coalition (TIC), registering a dismal score in the results.
Eng. Elton Joseph Mabirizi first appeared on the Presidential election ballot in 2016 as a candidate of the little-known The Independents Coalition (TIC), registering a dismal score in the results. (Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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Eng. Elton Joseph Mabirizi, on Tuesday (September 23, 2025), made a return to the mainstream politics of the country after he was successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission as the Conservative Party (CP) presidential candidate in the 2026 General Election.
During a TV interview in August 2025, Mabirizi said: Uganda is a very rich country; we can use our resources to develop our nation and livelihood.
Shortly after picking the nomination papers in the same month, Mabirizi said CP decided to come up with a presidential candidate because they want to quench the thirst that Ugandans have in the political arena. The tagline for CP this time around is institutional representation and the federal system.
Mabirizi first appeared on the Presidential election ballot in 2016 as a candidate of the little-known The Independents Coalition (TIC), registering a dismal score in the results.
TIC spokesperson at the time, Omar Kalinge Nyago, who was part of consultations that chose Mabirizi as the man to lead them to the country's most coveted job, said the decision was down to the results that they saw in him during meetings.
After almost a decade of political lull, he is now the lifeline of the centre-right Conservative Party (CP) in Uganda, led by Ken Lukyamuzi.
Lukyamuzi was one of the nominators of Mabirizi at Lweza EC headquarters a few days ago.
In August this year, Lukyamuzi said CP was presenting a presidential candidate with a purpose: "It is as if Uganda never got its independence."
He questioned the rationality of choosing ministers in charge of regions, including Karamoja, Luwero and Bunyoro.
This decision by President Yoweri Museveni indicates that Uganda needs a federal system of governance to empower the regions to do away with 550 MP, 600 RDCs and the many ministers.
Lukyamuzi became the president of the CP in 2005, after the party underwent internal disputes and factionalism. He officially took over the leadership from Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi, who had initially founded the party.
Lukyamuzi has since been re-elected as party president, with his most recent re-election occurring in 2023 for a five-year term.
CP in Uganda was officially founded in 1966, and serves as the de facto successor of the Kabaka Yekka that collapsed with the violent split of the UPC-Kabaka Yekka Alliance in the events that preceded the 1966 Lubiri raid and the subsequent exile of Kabaka Mutesa II.
Despite the long period of existence, the party has never tasted state power, with other key parties such as the Democratic Party (DP).
Elton Joseph Mabirizi duly nominated during the Presidential Nominations on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Lubowa- Lweza.
“I traversed the whole country looking for nomination signatures, and I did not just leave it to my agents to go out. For democracy demands majority rule, but also the rights, lives, and properties of the minority groups to be respected and preserved,” Mabirizi said after nomination.
According to Mabirizi, his performance in 2016 was bad because he did not have time to traverse the country.
“But over the years, including skipping the 2021 General Election, I had to go to villages, to different parts of Uganda, to all districts, building capacity so that Ugandans can raise and fight any person who is against their constitutional rights. So, this time around, I have come with a baton campaign,” Mabirizi said.
On his 2016 campaign trail, Mabirizi condemned the failure by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to address corruption, alleging that it had relegated most Ugandans to poverty.
Mabirizi profile
Born in July 1975 in Mpigi district, Mabirizi is the second last born in a family of 11.
He attended Katwe Primary School, then St John’s Secondary School, Mityana for O’ and A’ level.
Mabirizi proceeded to Aldram Institute of Theology and Counseling, where he obtained a diploma in counselling.
He is also a seasoned gospel evangelist with a strong background in both faith and engineering.
Born to Alice Nabulya Nalongo, Mabirizi was raised in a Catholic background, which laid the foundation for his spiritual journey.
For over 30 years, he has been actively spreading the gospel through the Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Church, a ministry he founded that has since established churches across Uganda.
His evangelism work has shaped communities and inspired countless believers to embrace faith.
Alongside his religious calling, Mabirizi built a professional career in engineering. He studied Electrical Engineering at Mengo Technical Institute before joining the former Uganda Electricity Board, where he served as an engineer for eight years.
Mabirizi also boasts of having an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering Science from City and Guilds, and another diploma from Bloemfontein in South Africa.
Beyond ministry and public service, Mabirizi is a devoted family man. He is married to Winnie Mabirizi, and together they are blessed with children.
Mabirizi’s life weaves together leadership, technical expertise, and spiritual dedication—qualities that continue to define both his ministry and his political aspirations.
Mabirizi contested in the 2016 presidential elections as the Independent Coalition Presidential Candidate 2016-2021 and finished eighth of the eight presidential candidates who participated in the elections.