National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya has called for calm, order, and peaceful campaigning ahead of the highly anticipated Kalangala District Woman MP by-election. The NUP SG is also cautious against violence, intimidation, and electoral malpractice. Rubongoya, while addressing campaign teams, said the party will not tolerate any form of chaos during […]
National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya has called for calm, order, and peaceful campaigning ahead of the highly anticipated Kalangala District Woman MP by-election.
The NUP SG is also cautious against violence, intimidation, and electoral malpractice.
Rubongoya, while addressing campaign teams, said the party will not tolerate any form of chaos during the campaign period, stressing that voters must be allowed to choose freely without fear or interference.
He condemned what he described as “ugly scenes” of violence and vote rigging witnessed in recent by-elections in other parts of the country, including Kawempe North, saying such conduct damages democracy and denies citizens their rightful voice.
“We condemn all these things that have been happening in other by-elections,the violence, the vote rigging and all that and we hope this process will be free, fair and transparent,” he said.
Rubongoya also pointed out the unique challenge of campaigning in Kalangala, noting that the district is made up of 64 islands, making movement and mobilisation difficult within the short 10-day campaign window.
NUP has since fronted Irene Nampala as its candidate. After her nomination, Nampala pledged to carry forward the legacy of the late Nakimuli, promising to focus on improving livelihoods for fishing communities, empowering women economically, and strengthening health and education services across the island district.
She also mentioned the need to address the persistent service delivery gaps faced by residents scattered across Kalangala’s remote islands.
Nakimuli was nominated today at the EC offices on Kalangala.
On the political side, NRM’s Aidah Nabayigga is in the race for the Kalangala District Woman MP seat and has also been successfully nominated
NRM leaders, including party mobiliser Rosemary Sseninde, have called for unity within the party and revealed that NRM has adopted a village-based mobilisation strategy to boost voter turnout and secure victory in the upcoming election.
Sseninde tells residents of Kalangala to vote massively for the NRM, saying they have already consistently supported the party in other leadership positions, including MPs for the two constituencies, the district chairperson, and the President.
She expressed confidence that the NRM candidate has a strong advantage and will effectively lobby for improved welfare and address gaps in service delivery in the district.
Sseninde also noted the challenges facing island communities, particularly issues related to the lake and fishing activities, but insisted that these can be resolved under the right leadership.
“We know there are many challenges like issues of the lake and fishing, but once you vote the right person, this will work,” she said.
She further cautioned residents against what she described as misinformation from the opposition, and asks voters to focus on what she called “the truth” and support the NRM candidate, arguing that being in the ruling party gives her stronger influence to deliver services.
Also Independent candidate Hellen Flavia Nagawa has been nominated. Nagawa says she will fight to ensure there’s a fully functional district hospital to fix healthcare gaps.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has started the nomination of candidates for the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election, set for June 24, 2026, with the two-day exercise running at the district headquarters under strict electoral guidelines.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi has calls on all aspirants to meet the legal requirements, including Ugandan citizenship, voter registration, Senior Six (UACE) qualification, party endorsement where applicable, and payment of the Shs3 million nomination fee. He also appealed for peace and adherence to electoral laws throughout the process.
The race was triggered by the sudden death of Kalangala Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, who passed away in April shortly after undergoing surgery, just weeks before she was expected to take her oath for a second term.
Her passing left the seat vacant, forcing the Electoral Commission to organise a by-election to find her replacement.
