By Our Reporter
As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, five sitting Members of Parliament have announced their intentions to seek new political positions, signaling major shifts in their political careers.
Agnes Kirabo
Agnes Kirabo, currently the Youth MP for Central Region, has declared her bid for the Luwero District Woman MP seat. A member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Kirabo is a graduate of Makerere University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
In 2021, she was elected to Parliament after securing 780 votes, defeating six male contenders, including former Makerere Guild President Ivan Bwowe. Prior to her parliamentary career, Kirabo served as secretary for female affairs at the NRM secretariat and worked as an auditor. She currently sits on the Committee on Trade, Tourism, and Industry.
Her candidacy was recently confirmed by musician Richard Mugisha, popularly known as Mr. Lee of the B2C music trio, who is also her partner.
Phiona Nyamutoro
Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth MP and State Minister for Minerals, will be contesting for the Nebbi District Woman MP seat. Her current youth MP position is limited to a single five-year term.
Nyamutoro won her current seat in 2021 with 296 votes, defeating Prima Tukamushabe who garnered 66 votes. Her transition to constituency politics is seen as a strategic move to maintain her presence in Parliament beyond the youth representation limit.
Gaffa Mbwatekamwa
Igara West MP Gaffa Mbwatekamwa has announced his intention to run for Mayor of Mbarara City. An NRM stalwart, he previously represented Kasambya County.
Mbwatekamwa gained national attention in 2017 as one of the nine NRM MPs who opposed the constitutional amendment to remove the presidential age limit. He holds a diploma in Secondary Education and a bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counselling from Kyambogo University, as well as a Master’s in Management Studies. He is married to Dona Atuhiire, with whom he shares four children.
Ronald Balimwezo
Ronald Balimwezo, the MP for Nakawa East, will be vying for the position of Kampala Lord Mayor. He is expected to face off against incumbent Erias Lukwago in what promises to be a closely watched contest in the capital city.
Betty Amongi
Oyam South MP and Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, has announced her bid for the Lira City Woman MP seat. She will be challenging the current officeholder, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
Born on 15 November 1975 in Oyam District, Amongi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master’s in International Relations, both from Makerere University. Her political career began in 2001 as Apac District Woman MP, followed by re-election in 2006. She has represented Oyam South since 2011.
Amongi has held several ministerial roles, including Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (2016–2019) and Minister for Kampala Capital City, before assuming her current portfolio in June 2021. She is married to Jimmy Akena, the MP for Lira Municipality and President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and son of former President Milton Obote.
