Brenda Nabukenya, the Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament, is set for nomination for a third term after winning the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag amidst a tight race. She is expected to be nominated on Wednesday, October 22, on the NUP ticket.
Nabukenya defeated Sumaiya Namiiro, Mariam Nakiganda, Rahim Bisaaso, Sarah Zainabu, Phiona Nakaweesi, and Ritah Kabengano to secure the party flag.
“I’m happy that the party has trusted me again and I’m ready to carry the flag to seek re-election. This is a sign of good performance in my district and a strong ground needed to win the seat,” Nabukenya said.
She outlined her priorities for the third term, which include fighting land grabbers, addressing human rights abuses, and advocating for better service delivery.
Nabukenya now faces Agnes Kirabo, the Youth Central Member of Parliament who secured the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, as well as Moreen Nakuya of the Democratic Front and several independent candidates.
Kirabo and NRM campaigners have repeatedly accused Nabukenya of failing to lobby for services because she is an opposition legislator. They argue that key service delivery projects can only be sourced if the area MP aligns with the ruling party and can access Yoweri Museveni directly.
Recently, while campaigning in Luwero District, Museveni told voters it was “suicidal” to elect opposition candidates like Nabukenya.
“You are like orphans. Some time back, you donated the District Woman MP seat to this girl Nabukenya. She has done nothing, and you also voted for the LC5 chairman from the opposition. The few projects here are from the central government. It has been by the mercy of God that those projects were done. The Banyankole say they don’t cry for a person who committed suicide,” Museveni said.
Museveni endorsed Kirabo and asked Cissy Mulondo, who lost in the NRM primaries, not to seek nomination, promising to meet her for a deal.
But Nabukenya insists she should not be blamed for the government’s failures in Luwero.
“I have been in Parliament for a shorter period than President Museveni’s reign. The government has failed to complete the district headquarters, roads are impassable, veterans are not paid, and schools are in a sorry state. Who stopped the government from doing those things? Did they expect me to do them as an MP?” Nabukenya asked.
She also lashed out at her rivals, questioning their claims of being able to lobby the President for the district.
“Luwero had great NRM leaders like Alhajj Abdul Nadduli, the late Edward Khiddu Makubuya, and the late Wilberforce Kisamba Mugerwa, but the district remained the same. So who are you, a newcomer, to claim you will lobby better than them? Let’s not lie to the voters,” she said.
Nabukenya added that Luwero residents elect her to represent their interests in Parliament—not to beg the President.
“People elect me to represent their interests, including fighting bad laws and land grabbers. I’m not elected to beg from Museveni. Secondly, residents of Luwero have lost hope in Museveni and are voting for Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu as the next President,” Nabukenya stated.
Nabukenya won the 2021 general elections with 76,801 votes, defeating Mulondo of NRM, who garnered 40,353 votes, among others.
The Luwero Woman MP race is expected to be one of the toughest contests as Nabukenya and Kirabo battle for the seat.
According to the Electoral Commission of Uganda roadmap, Parliamentary nominations will be held on October 22 and 23, 2025. Polling will take place between Monday, January 12, and Monday, February 9, 2026, in line with Article 62(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
