Residents and supporters of Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze Bakireke have raised concerns over her decision to hold her first post-swearing-in celebration outside the constituency, arguing that the move distanced ordinary voters from a moment they expected to share with their legislator.
Nambooze, who was sworn in as Mukono Municipality MP, reportedly headed straight from Parliament to Kiwatule Recreation Centre in Kampala for a thanksgiving party and prayer gathering. She was accompanied by her husband and children before later being joined by Mukono District Woman MP Sheilla Amaniyo Draville.
Before joining the event in Kiwatule, Amaniyo reportedly toured several markets within Mukono Municipality where traders and residents had gathered following the parliamentary swearing-in ceremony.
However, some voters say Nambooze’s decision to celebrate away from Mukono left many supporters feeling excluded from an important political milestone.
Farouk Mulumba, a boda boda rider operating in Mukono Central Division, said residents expected the legislator to return home and celebrate with the people who voted for her.
“We wanted to celebrate our MP from here in Mukono because we stood with her during campaigns and elections. Even a simple gathering would have been enough for the people,” Mulumba said.
Another resident, James Kafeero, also a boda boda rider, said many supporters were unable to travel to Kiwatule despite receiving mobilisation messages through different WhatsApp groups.
“We saw messages asking people to go to Kiwatule, but for many ordinary supporters, transport alone was difficult. We missed the opportunity to share the joy with our leader,” Kafeero noted.
Political observers say such celebrations often carry symbolic importance because they help elected leaders reconnect with supporters immediately after assuming office.
Analysts argue that holding a first victory or thanksgiving event outside the constituency can easily be interpreted by sections of voters as political detachment, especially in urban constituencies where leaders rely heavily on grassroots mobilisation.
They note that voters usually expect their representatives to prioritise visibility and accessibility after major political milestones, particularly following a swearing-in ceremony that marks the beginning of a new parliamentary term.
Some residents further argued that a celebration held within Mukono Municipality would have created a stronger sense of ownership among supporters and offered traders, youth and local leaders an opportunity to directly interact with their MP.
Others, however, defended Nambooze, saying leaders are entitled to organise private family celebrations at venues of their choice and that political service should not be judged solely on the location of a thanksgiving event.
The development has nevertheless sparked debate among supporters over how elected leaders balance personal preferences with public expectations in the early days of a new political term.
