The Women MPs we want — voters have their say
In Kamuli, the first deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, who is also the minister for East African Community (EAC), received overwhelming support of 98%. Voters said they selected Kadaga, who is also the Kamuli district Woman MP, because of her contribution to community development.
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, Ugandans will elect their political representatives between January 12 and February 9, 2026.
By Mary Karugaba
Journalists @New Vision
The Vision Group research team conducted an opinion poll between March and May 2025, covering 6,006 Ugandans across 58 districts and all 17 sub-regions. It was conducted in order to make an assessment of the general public’s perception of the forthcoming general elections.
Respondents were asked an open-ended question: “Who do you think should be this area’s next district woman MP?” The names mentioned in the poll were proposed by the respondents.
The battle for women district MPs, voters said, will be determined by issues as opposed to the usual political grandstanding that has shaped the campaign mood in previous elections.
Voters, particularly, singled out the contribution of someone to service-delivery challenges within their respective communities as one of the major drivers of their choice for a particular contender.
During the survey, each of the 6,006 respondents was asked: “Who do you think should be this area’s next district woman MP?” The sampled respondents were not given any names to select from.
They simply mentioned politicians of their choice. In some of their responses, voters simply mentioned politicians, who are not necessarily from the sampled district or city.
The respondents were randomly sampled from both rural and urban areas. Of the total respondents, 2,433 were from urban areas, while 3,573 respondents were picked from rural areas.
The objective of the survey was to gauge the public’s perceptions and preferences about the political climate and the general political pulse ahead of the 2026 general election.
The survey indicates that on top of the issue-based message of service delivery, voters also attributed their choice of a particular district woman MP to the power of incumbency, grassroots connection with communities, effective representation in Parliament, need for change and party affiliation.
On the other hand, some respondents etched their support for a particular contender on their position in the Government.
Some respondents in the districts said they did not know the contestants, while others refused to answer.
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, Ugandans will elect their political representatives between January 12 and February 9, 2026. Campaigns are expected to kick off in September 2025 and end in early January 2026.
Kamuli
In Kamuli, the first deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, who is also the minister for East African Community (EAC), received overwhelming support of 98%. Voters said they selected Kadaga, who is also the Kamuli district Woman MP, because of her contribution to community development.
Rebecca Kadaga
Deborah Mwesigwa Baroda Kayaga, Veronica Kagona and Salamu Musumba are some of the politicians that sampled respondents singled out in Kamuli when they were asked who their choice is for the district woman MP.
Katakwi
Voters sampled in Katakwi district said they would vote for the Vice President, Jessica Alupo. 85% of the sampled respondents said the Katakwi district woman MP has ensured food security in the area by mobilising communities to embark on massive food production. Respondents also said she has no corruption record. Viola Akurut was the other politician that respondents singled out in the race for Katawki district woman MP.
Jessica Alupo
Bukedea
In Bukedea district, 96% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, as woman MP in 2026. Voters said the reason they will vote Among is hinged on her contribution to service delivery in the area. Deborah Akello is the other contender that voters sampled singled out as their choice for the Bukedea district Woman MP.
Anita Among
Adjumani
In Adjumani, 91.5% of the sampled respondents said they would vote the incumbent, Jesca Ababiku, as their woman MP. Her ability to respond to challenges affecting communities within the area and the West Nile sub-region, voters said, makes her tick.
Agago
In Agago district, the incumbent and state minister for economic monitoring, Beatrice Akello Akori, emerged as the number one choice, with 53.2% sampled respondents selecting her as their choice for the district woman MP. Voters said they support Akello because of her support to communities. Alyek Judith and Judith Akello Frank are the other politicians that respondents singled out.
Beatrice Akello Akori, Woman MP Agago (NRM)
Amudat
In Amudati, 47.3% of the sampled respondents said they would vote Evelyne Chichi as their district woman MP. Voters said Chichi has supported communities with service delivery programmes. Rosemary Chepokuwo (12.7%) and incumbent Chelein Betty Louke (7.3%) were the other contenders that voters singled out.
Arua
For Arua, 78.4% of the sampled voters said they would vote, Maureen Osoru, citing her contribution to development programmes within the area. Osoru is the Arua City Woman MP. The incumbent Arua district Woman MP is Lilian Paparu. Former Arua district woman MP, Christine Abia (5.1%), Uganda’s envoy to Turkey, Nusura Tiperu (2.7%) and businesswoman, Roseline Awachabo (4.1%) are the other politicians voters cited.
Maureen Osoru, Woman Representative Arua City (nrm)
Although she has already declared her intention to contest for the Ayivu East MP seat on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, 2.7% of the sampled voters in Arua said they would vote ex-gender minister, Zoe Bakoko Bakuru, as their district woman MP.
Bulambuli
In Bulambuli, 48.5% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the ex-energy minister, Irene Muloni, as their district woman MP. Voters said they support Muloni because of her ability to solve their challenges. Rita Nambozo (22.7%) is the other woman leader that voters singled out.
Bushenyi
For Bushenyi district, 90% of sampled voters said they would vote the incumbent, Katusiime Annet Mugisha, as their district woman MP in 2026. Voters said Mugisha’s commitment to service delivery has made her stand out.
Katusiime Annet Mugisha, Women Representative Bushenyi (NRM)
Former minister, Mary Karooro Okurut (8.6%), is the other politician voters sided with. Okurut, who is the former woman MP for the area, has already expressed interest in representing older persons in Parliament at the national level in 2026.
Busia
In Busia district, 34.7% of sampled voters said they would vote Allen Auma as their woman MP. 23.5% of the sampled voters said they would vote Sharon Nabwire.
Auma Hellen Wandera, Woman Representative Busia (NRM)
Dokolo
Majority of the respondents sampled in Dokolo district said they would vote for the incumbent, Dr Sarah Aguti, of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). 95.7% of the voters who rooted for Aguti said they support her because of her “non-degradative” character and approach to politics.
Sarah Aguti Nyangkori
Aguti joined Parliament through a by-election following the death of Cecilia Ogwal in January 2024. Grace Anna Lalam and Dr Mary Alwoch are the other contenders voters singled out.
Gomba
In Gomba, 71% of the sampled respondents said they would vote Sylvia Nayebale. Other politicians that voters preferred for the seat include Betty Nambooze (9.7%), Betty Ssentamu (6.5%) and Gomba West MP, Robinah Rwakojjo (3.2%).
Gulu
For Gulu, 57.8% of sampled voters said they would return incumbent Laker Sharon.
Laker Sharon Balmoyi, Woman Representative Gulu (nrm)
Sampled respondents said they support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) iron lady because of her anti-corruption message. Betty Atim and Gulu City Woman MP, Betty Aol are the other politicians voters cited.
Hoima
Asinansi Nyakato of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is in the driver’s seat in Hoima district, with 51.2% of the sampled respondents saying they would vote her as woman MP.
Nyakato Asinansi, Woman Representative Hoima City (fdc)
Voters cited her vocal approach to their political challenges. Princess Diana (19%) and Harriet Businge (1.9%) are the other women leaders that voters singled out.
Iganga
In Iganga district, if elections were held today, voters said they would vote Mariam Seif.
Mariam Seif
57.9% of the sampled respondents said Seif’s community development support endears them to her. Incumbent Sauda Kauma (37.7%) is the other leader sampled voters singled out.
Isingiro
Sampled respondents in Isingiro district singled out Lilian Ruteraho (40.4%), Justine Ayebazibwe (21.9%) and incumbent, Clare Mugumya (18.4%).
Lilian Ruteraho
The sampled voters said Ruteraho has a centric character, which is relatable to the ordinary people in the community. On the other hand, voters said they would vote for Ayebazibwe because she is transparent and corrupt-free.
Jinja
In Jinja, 60.1% of the sampled voters said they would vote for the incumbent Joy Katali because she is responsive to their community needs.
Katali Joy, Woman Representative Jinja (NRM)
Maria Nambi (9.1%) is the other politician they cited.
Kaabong
For Kaabong, sampled voters said they would vote for Felista Akol (38.3%) and Nakwang Tubbo (35%).
Kabale
Respondents in Kabale district said they would vote for incumbent Catherine Ndamira (48.9%), Enid Origumisiriza (16%) and Jackline Katabazi (16%).
Kabarole
In Kabarole, 44.9% of the sample voters said they would vote for the state minister for local government, Victoria Businge Rusoke.
Businge Victoria Rusoke, Woman Representative Kabarole (nrm)
Former MP Sylvia Rwabwogo (8.7%) is the other contender that voters singled out.
Kaberamaido
Jane Awichi (96.9%) is the people’s choice. Sampled voters described her as the “bridge” between their concerns and solutions.
Kagadi
In Kagadi, sampled respondents said they would vote Jenifer Mbabazi (68.7%). Margret Naziwa (19.4%) is the other contender voters cited.
Kampala
For Kampala, 65.8% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the National Unity Platform (NUP) iron lady, Shamim Malende. Voters said they support Malende because of her ability to solve community challenges.
Shamim Malende
The former Masaka Woman MP, Mary Babirye Kabanda (5.3%) and Teddy Nambooze (2.6%) are the other contenders voters singled out.
Kapchorwa
In Kapchorwa, 49.1% of the sampled respondents said they would support Philis Chemutai for the district woman MP seat. Betty Cheptoek Kali (27.3%) is the other woman leader voters cited.
Kazo
For Kazo district, 48.1% of the sampled respondents said they would vote Molly Kamukama. The incumbent, Jenifer Mutesi (33.3%), is the other woman leader that voters settled for during the survey.
Kikuube
Florence Natumanya, the incumbent, sampled voters said, is the people’s choice in Kikuube district. 47.7% said they would vote for Natumanya in 2026. 18.5% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for Harriet Businge.
Natumanya Flora, Woman Representative Kikuube (nrm)
Kasese
In Kasese, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) diehard and incumbent, Florence Kabugho, is in the driver’s seat, with 39.3% of the sampled voters saying they would vote for her as their woman MP. Sarah Ithungu (27.7%) is the other contender that voters cited during the survey.
Kisoro
For Kisoro, 33% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for Grace Akifeza as their district woman MP. Akifeza joined Parliament in November last year through a by-election, following the death of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi in September 2024.
Grace Akifeza
Fancy Nirere (33%) and Rose Kabagenyi (13.6%) are the other contenders sampled voters singled out.
Kitgum
In Kitgum district, 84.6% of sampled voters said they would vote for the state minister for disaster preparedness, relief and refugees, Lilian Aber.
Lillian Aber, Woman Representative Kitgum (NRM)
Affirmative action
The district woman MP was triggered by an affirmative action policy ushered in by the NRM in 1986. The policy was meant to uplift the status of the marginalised groups, such as women, into positions of leadership.
Meeting in Parliament early in March 2025, district women leaders, who attended the second women's parliament, rooted for a review of the policy to include term limits for women MPs. Led by Lira district Woman MP, Linda Auma, they argued that two terms should be introduced for women in order to give room to other emerging women leaders.
However, responding to the calls for reforms, the state minister for gender, Peace Mutuzo, wondered whether the two terms would also apply to men.
“You are asking for two terms, how about the men? Rather, we should be talking about reviewing the 30% that has been for the last 30 years. 30% affirmative action has not yet even given us 30% representation in Parliament.
One woman representing a district has not yet generated 30% of the composition of women in Parliament yet said the Policy has not even given the women 30% of the representation in Parliament and yet affirmative action was meant to give a minimum of 30% to begin with and then increase as more women join the political space,” she said.
In Uganda, on top of the four cardinal roles of an MP (representation, legislation, oversight and appropriation), a woman MP is expected to champion women’s issues, promote gender equality and advocate for policies that address specific needs of women and the girl child in order to achieve gender parity.
Aol Betty Ocan, Woman Representative Gulu City (fdc)
How the survey was conducted
The poll was conducted by Vision Group’s research team between March and May 2025, covering a sample size of 6,006 Ugandans countrywide.
To ensure national representation, the Vision Group research team sampled eligible Ugandan voters from across 58 districts. Only citizens possessing a valid National Identification Card and aged 18 years and above were sampled. The survey covered all 17 sub-regions of Uganda. The respondents were randomly sampled from both rural and urban areas.
Of the total respondents, 2433 were from urban areas, while 3573 respondents were picked from rural areas. According to the survey, the majority of the respondents were between the ages of 25 and 29 years (1201) and 30 and 34 years (1058). Only 19 of the total sampled respondents refused to respond to the questions.
Maria Nambi
New Vision editor-in-chief, Barbara Kaija, explained that the Citizens Manifesto is a compilation of Ugandan views collected by a team of professional researchers ahead of the national election.
On the credibility of the survey, Kaija said: “This is a scientific survey, and it was not influenced by anybody, not even the government is informed when we are doing this research. Any other researcher is free to do their research for comparison. I am very confident of the results because in the past, similar surveys done by New Vision have not been so different from the final election results.”
The Vision Group research department has long experience in carrying out market research and opinion polling. An opinion poll, often referred to as a survey or a poll, is a human research survey of public opinion from a particular sample.