The race for parliamentary seats in Mukono District has officially kicked off, with 21 candidates successfully nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest in the forthcoming general elections.
According to the Mukono District Returning Officer, Mark Muganzi, the nomination exercise attracted a diverse group of contenders representing various political parties and independents across the district’s five constituencies — Mukono Municipality, Mukono North, Mukono South, Nakifuma County, and the District Woman Member of Parliament seat.
Muganzi confirmed that the exercise was conducted smoothly and in accordance with Electoral Commission guidelines. Each aspirant was required to present two nominators with national identification cards, academic documents not below Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), and duly signed nomination forms endorsed by at least ten registered voters from their respective constituencies.
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The nomination exercise opened with the return of former State Minister for Water Resources, Ronald Kibuule, who was cleared to contest for the Mukono North parliamentary seat.
Kibuule, who previously served in the same constituency, promised to complete projects he initiated during his tenure, including rural electrification and water supply extensions, which he claimed had stalled under subsequent leaders.
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He further revealed plans to champion the construction of the Mukono Central Market to support local traders and boost the municipality’s economy.
Kibuule faces competition from Isaac Drasi, an independent candidate who vowed to fight corruption and curb the influx of counterfeit agro-chemicals that continue to hurt farmers in the district.
In Nakifuma County, the nomination exercise saw a blend of experienced politicians and new entrants. Those cleared include Robert Ssekitooleko, Wasswa Joshua Mugirya, a 22-year-old Makerere University student running independently, and Sulaiman Kiwanuka representing the National Unity Platform (NUP).
All three pledged to focus on economic empowerment, youth employment, and improving local livelihoods, with Mugirya emphasising the importance of youth participation in governance.
The Mukono South constituency attracted five contenders, including Vicent Grace Luswata, Roy Mwesigwa, and Esther Gibone.
Their campaigns are expected to centre around education, health, and revitalisation of the fishing sector, which employs hundreds of residents around the Lake Victoria shoreline.
A total of six candidates are vying for the Mukono District Woman MP position. Among them is Vitarine Nalumansi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Peace Kusaasira Mubiru Kanyesige, who is contesting as an independent.
Nalumansi pledged to prioritise women’s empowerment and education, while Kusaasira vowed to advocate for maternal health services and youth development programs in the district.
In Mukono Municipality, the nomination exercise drew significant attention as Hon. Hanifah Nabukeera, the incumbent District Woman MP, formally declared her bid for the Municipality seat as an independent.
Nabukeera recently quit the National Unity Platform (NUP) after losing the party flag to Sheillah Amanio, a former National Resistance Movement (NRM) member.
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She faces competition from Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the incumbent LC5 Chairperson for Mukono District, who lost the NUP flag to Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga, and Andrew Ssenyonga, who was also cleared to contest after reportedly sustaining injuries during the chaotic NRM primaries.
Returning Officer Muganzi confirmed that 12 more candidates are expected to present their credentials on the final day of nominations, bringing the total number of contestants to over 30 across all parliamentary categories in Mukono District.
He urged all participants to maintain peace and respect the electoral guidelines as campaigns are set to begin soon.
 
With campaigns set to officially commence next week, Mukono District is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive battlegrounds in the forthcoming general elections — a reflection of its political diversity and growing voter interest.
