Politics
Three nominated on first day in Kalangala byelection to replace Nakimuli
They include: Hellen Flavia Nagawa, who is Independent with her symbol of a watch, Aidah Nabayiga of NRM and Irene Nampala of NUP.
Hellen Nakimuli passed on passed on in April 19, 2026. (File photo)
By: Samuel Nkuba, Journalist @New Vision
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Three women out of the six who picked the nomination forms vying to replace Hellen Nakimuli in the forthcoming byelection were nominated on the first day at Kalangala district headquarters by the electoral commission.
They include: Hellen Flavia Nagawa, who is Independent with her symbol of a watch, Aidah Nabayiga of NRM and Irene Nampala of NUP.
Addressing the Press after her nomination at 1:50pm today, Nampala emphasised that she is Nakimuli's heir, implying that she is here to fulfil the programs which were left
hanging by the late.
“She had a dream of empowering women to be self-sustaining from only depending on men’s funds, which at times isn’t enough to take care of their families,” she said, flanked by her father, Fr. Christopher Walusimbi, NUP Secretary General Lewis Lubongoya, singer Nina Rose, among others.
She further promised to follow up on the fisheries bill, which was assented to by the president, and it’s not yet functional, leaving fishermen suffering in the hands of illegal operations.
“Our health facilities lack essential drugs, leaving islanders using costly means of transport and having to buy expensive drugs. I will follow up on this to improve the health status of our people,” she adds.
Lubongoya urged the electoral commission to conduct a free and fair campaign rather than seeing drones picking up their colleagues as it was in Kawempe.
NRM's Nabayiga, in the company of the party chief mobilizer, Dr Rosemary Kyeyune Sseninde, Commissioner James Kinobe, among other dignitaries, promised islanders to be the bridge on their needs from the Government, including follow-up on PDM with an emphasis on improving their well-being.
“I know what Kalangala needs, starting from hospitals, improvement in the transport sector, and the need for tarmacked roads from Bugoma to Mulabana, among others. I will make sure that Kyamuswa’s vessel is procured as the president promised,” she says.
She further promised to follow up on the fisheries bill, which was assented to by the president, and it’s not yet functional, leaving fishermen suffering in the hands of illegal operations.
“Our health facilities lack essential drugs, leaving islanders using costly means of transport and having to buy expensive drugs. I will follow up on this to improve the health status of our people,” she adds.
Lubongoya urged the electoral commission to conduct a free and fair campaign rather than seeing drones picking up their colleagues as it was in Kawempe.
NRM's Nabayiga, in the company of the party chief mobilizer, Dr Rosemary Kyeyune Sseninde, Commissioner James Kinobe, among other dignitaries, promised islanders to be the bridge on their needs from the Government, including follow-up on PDM with an emphasis on improving their well-being.
“I know what Kalangala needs, starting from hospitals, improvement in the transport sector, and the need for tarmacked roads from Bugoma to Mulabana, among others. I will make sure that Kyamuswa’s vessel is procured as the president promised,” she says.
She further urged islanders to trust her with their votes so that she can become a voice for development.
Dr Rosemary Kyeyune Sseninde told islanders that if they voted for President Museveni, they should not mix colours but rather go on and vote for Nabayiga so that lobbying becomes easy.
“There are so many lies brought by opposition, but remember to endorse and vote for her so that she fulfils the earth and heaven that NRM promised the island district,” she adds.
Dr Rosemary urged voters to observe peace while holding rallies since this isn’t a war but rather an election, which will leave islanders as one person.
Ambassador James Kinobe urged leaders under their structure that they are their messengers and they should get at least 10 people from every polling centre so that NRM secure victory in this by-election.
Annet Kashagire, the Central South region returning officer, says that they received six aspirants who picked the nomination forms from electoral offices in Kalangala; however, only three have been nominated on this first day.
“We still have a day to go, and as the commission, we will be here, holding a free and fair voting, working together with all the security agencies to emphasise peace during this byelection,” she says.
She urged voters to hold peaceful campaigns, fighting one another.
The nominations will be closed tomorrow, Thursday at 5 pm, and the electoral commission will confirm the number of candidates who will have fulfilled the requirements to contest.
Dr Rosemary Kyeyune Sseninde told islanders that if they voted for President Museveni, they should not mix colours but rather go on and vote for Nabayiga so that lobbying becomes easy.
“There are so many lies brought by opposition, but remember to endorse and vote for her so that she fulfils the earth and heaven that NRM promised the island district,” she adds.
Dr Rosemary urged voters to observe peace while holding rallies since this isn’t a war but rather an election, which will leave islanders as one person.
Ambassador James Kinobe urged leaders under their structure that they are their messengers and they should get at least 10 people from every polling centre so that NRM secure victory in this by-election.
Annet Kashagire, the Central South region returning officer, says that they received six aspirants who picked the nomination forms from electoral offices in Kalangala; however, only three have been nominated on this first day.
“We still have a day to go, and as the commission, we will be here, holding a free and fair voting, working together with all the security agencies to emphasise peace during this byelection,” she says.
She urged voters to hold peaceful campaigns, fighting one another.
The nominations will be closed tomorrow, Thursday at 5 pm, and the electoral commission will confirm the number of candidates who will have fulfilled the requirements to contest.