NUP Unveils Irene Nampala as Flag Bearer for Kalangala Woman MP By-Election
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially unveiled Irene Nampala, sister to the late Hellen Nakimuli, as its flag bearer for the upcoming Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Nampala emerged victorious after a competitive vetting exercise involving 14 aspirants conducted by the party’s Elections Management Committee (EMC).
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Kalangala Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli on April 19, 2026, leaving vacant a parliamentary seat that NUP won during the 2021 general elections.
Speaking during the announcement, NUP Elections Management Committee chairperson Harriet Chemutai said the selection process focused on leadership ability, party loyalty, grassroots mobilisation, and the candidates’ capacity to retain the seat for the opposition.
“We considered several factors, including candidates’ connection to the people, their commitment to the party, and their ability to effectively represent the interests of Kalangala residents,” Chemutai said.
Nampala, a political activist and community mobiliser from Kalangala District, has been actively involved in grassroots politics and mobilisation activities within the island district. She gained prominence through her participation in NUP mobilisation campaigns during the 2021 elections and subsequent party-building efforts across Kalangala’s fishing communities and islands.
Party officials describe her as one of the emerging female political leaders in the district with strong support among local NUP structures.
She has also championed advocacy initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, youth livelihoods, and improving access to social services in hard-to-reach island communities.
According to Chemutai, Nampala’s connection with women and young voters played a key role in strengthening her candidature during the vetting process.
Her endorsement is part of NUP’s broader strategy to maintain its political foothold in Kalangala, where the opposition party secured a major victory in 2021 after Nakimuli defeated the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate.
Nampala is expected to face strong competition from the NRM, which has already fronted former Kalangala Woman MP Aida Nabayiga as its candidate. Other political parties are yet to announce their flag bearers ahead of the highly anticipated race.
The by-election could also be influenced by ongoing discussions among opposition parties regarding the possibility of supporting a joint candidate. Earlier this week, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Oboi Amuriat revealed that the party was open to backing a united opposition candidate following consultations with other opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, concerns remain over whether all unsuccessful NUP aspirants will fully rally behind Nampala or pursue independent political arrangements that could divide opposition support.
NUP’s Greater Masaka regional mobilisation coordinator, Charles Lwanga Kirumira, said the party plans to engage all aspirants to promote unity ahead of the polls.
“We are going to engage all the aspirants and encourage them to support the party’s flag bearer so that we maintain a united front going into the by-election,” Kirumira said.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election for June 24, 2026, when voters will elect a successor to the late Hellen Nakimuli.
