In a dramatic twist in Mukono’s fast-shifting political scene, Mukono Woman MP Hanifa Nabukeera has announced her decision to contest as an independent candidate for the Mukono Municipality parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections.
The seat is currently occupied by Betty Nambooze, a veteran opposition politician and a prominent voice in the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The declaration follows days of speculation after Nabukeera was denied the NUP ticket to renew her mandate as Woman MP, a position she won in 2021 under the same party.
In a press conference held Tuesday at her Lumuli-Goma residence, a visibly emotional Nabukeera accused NUP’s vetting committee of betrayal and unfair treatment in the selection process.
“Although I still believe in Robert Kyagulanyi as the next President of Uganda, I no longer associate myself with NUP,” Nabukeera said.
“The process that denied me the party card was unjust and contrary to the principles of fairness and transparency that the party preaches.”
According to Nabukeera, the party’s vetting team overlooked voter-based questionnaires and ground popularity assessments, instead awarding the ticket to Sheila Amanio, a relatively new recruit to NUP and a former member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“After endorsing Museveni as the sole candidate, she [Amanio] crossed to NUP, and within six months, she is now shouting ‘Kyagulanyi is my president.’ Strangely, the vetting team believed her. That’s mockery,” Nabukeera lamented.
Battle Lines Drawn in Mukono Politics
Nabukeera’s decision has set the stage for one of the most competitive races in Mukono Municipality’s political history, pitting seasoned political heavyweights and new entrants against each other.
The race now features:
- Betty Nambooze – incumbent MP, NUP stalwart
- Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa – Mukono LC V Chairman
- Dr. Daisy Ssonko – NRM flag bearer
- George Fred Kagimu – Buganda Democratic Party (DP) leader and former Mukono Municipality Mayor
- Andrew Ssenyonga Ruzindana – former LC V Chairman and NRM strongman
- Allan Mawanda – Mukono Division Council Speaker (DF ticket)
- Hanifa Nabukeera – Independent candidate
Political analysts note that Nabukeera’s entry complicates the race for opposition-leaning candidates, especially Nambooze, whose support base overlaps with Nabukeera’s following among women and youth.
From NUP Darling to Rebel Candidate
Nabukeera rose to political prominence in 2021 after defeating NRM’s Margret Nakavubu. She garnered 102, 162 votes and Nakavubu 49, 363 votes.
Her victory, seen as a major win for the opposition in Mukono, cemented her as one of NUP’s emerging female voices in Parliament.
However, insiders say her relationship with the party leadership soured over internal rivalries and her reluctance to back certain NUP candidates at the district level.
Nabukeera insists she was victimized for maintaining an independent voice.
“I was accused of not supporting certain individuals whose interests don’t align with the people’s needs. My mandate covers four constituencies, so I can’t be expected to follow one person’s political agenda,” she said.
Defying the Party Line
NUP has repeatedly warned its members against contesting as independents, saying it undermines party cohesion.
But Nabukeera says the party has no moral authority to lecture her on discipline when it failed to uphold its own rules.
“They tell us not to stand as independents, yet they don’t follow their own regulations,” she argued. “You can’t blame me for seeking justice through the ballot.”
Despite her fallout with the party, Nabukeera reaffirmed her loyalty to Kyagulanyi’s presidential cause, emphasizing that her departure was a protest against internal injustice, not against the broader struggle for political change.
What Lies Ahead
Nabukeera’s defiance is expected to reshape alliances within Mukono politics, where NUP has enjoyed strong grassroots support since 2021.
With multiple opposition figures now eyeing the same seat, the vote is likely to fragment, giving NRM a potential advantage.
As the nomination period draws closer, political observers say the Mukono Municipality race will serve as a litmus test for NUP’s internal democracy and its ability to manage fallout among disgruntled members.
For Nabukeera, the battle has just begun. “I will let the people of Mukono decide. I came into politics to serve them, not to please a few individuals at the top,” she concluded.
