Kalangala District Heads to Polls for Woman MP Seat

Voters in the island district of Kalangala are set to cast their ballots today to elect a new Woman Member of Parliament. The Electoral Commission has confirmed that all arrangements are in place for a free and fair election, with polling stations scheduled to open at 7 am and close at 4 pm.

Five candidates are contesting the by-election: Irene Nampala of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Aidah Nabayiga of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and independents Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Babirye Sharifa Kaala, and Susan Nasuuna.

The race is marked by intriguing intra-party dynamics. Sharifa Kaala, while leaning towards NUP, is running as an independent after the party’s ticket went to Irene Nampala. Similarly, Hellen Nagawa is an NRM-leaning independent who decided to stand after losing the party’s primary elections to Nabayiga.

The seat became vacant due to the death of Hellen Nakimuli, who had recently secured a second term on the NUP ticket. Candidates have focused their campaigns on key issues such as health services, infrastructure development, and the vital fishing economy of the islands.

Both NUP’s Nampala, aiming to succeed her late sister, and NRM’s Nabayiga, who previously served as Woman MP from 2016 to 2021, are seen as strong contenders. Nampala has pledged to champion her sister’s unfinished agenda, focusing on fisheries regulations, healthcare, and women’s economic empowerment. Nabayiga promises to continue development projects and lobby for the upgrade of Kalangala Health Centre IV to a general hospital.

President Yoweri Museveni has publicly endorsed Nabayiga, emphasizing the benefits of aligning with the ruling NRM for improved service delivery and highlighting government plans for transport, electricity, education, and health in the region. Conversely, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi has urged voters to support Nampala, calling her the rightful successor to the late Nakimuli.

The enforcement of fishing regulations has historically influenced voting patterns in Kalangala, with past discontent over the Fisheries Protection Unit’s methods. Recent reforms, including changes in leadership and unit restructuring, aim to address these concerns. The NRM has shown increasing influence in the district, having won recent parliamentary and local government seats.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kalangala-goes-to-polls-to-pick-next-woman-mp-5506562