Just In: NRM’s Nabayiga Announced Winner Of Kalangala By Election

By Swift Reporter

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has strengthened its grip on Kalangala District after its candidate, Idah Nabayiga, secured a commanding victory in the Woman Member of Parliament by-election, defeating her closest challenger from the National Unity Platform (NUP) by more than 5,000 votes.

Official results announced in the early hours of Thursday by Kalangala District Returning Officer Ronald Agaba showed Nabayiga polling 12,642 votes out of 20,611 valid votes cast, comfortably securing the parliamentary seat and handing the NRM a significant political win in the island district.

NUP candidate Irene Nampala emerged second with 7,474 votes, while Independent candidate Sharifah Babirye garnered 244 votes. Fellow Independent candidates Flavia Hellen Nagawa and Agnes Nasuuna received 217 and 34 votes respectively.

Declaring the results at 1:53 a.m., Agaba said the tally had been conducted in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act.

“Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kalangala Electoral District and in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, I declare Idah Nabayiga, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be the elected candidate for District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kalangala Electoral District,” Agaba announced.

The election attracted a total of 21,038 ballots, including 20,611 valid votes, 427 rejected ballots and 67 spoilt ballot papers.

Nabayiga’s victory is being viewed as an important boost for the ruling party as Uganda’s political landscape increasingly shifts toward the 2026 electoral cycle. The result demonstrates the NRM’s continued influence in Kalangala despite spirited competition from opposition forces seeking to expand their presence in the district.

With more than 61 percent of the valid votes cast, Nabayiga secured a comfortable mandate from voters, outperforming all her rivals combined and underscoring the NRM’s organizational strength in the constituency.

Political observers say the margin of victory will likely be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the ruling party’s structures in Kalangala, an area that has increasingly attracted attention from both government and opposition actors because of its strategic location and growing economic significance.

The by-election was called following the death of former Kalangala District Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, whose passing left the seat vacant.

The contest attracted candidates from major political parties as well as independent contenders, turning the race into a closely watched political battle between the NRM and NUP.

Throughout the campaign period, candidates focused on issues affecting island communities, including transportation, healthcare access, education, fisheries, tourism development and youth unemployment.

The election was largely peaceful, with voters turning out across the district’s scattered island communities to elect a new representative.

With the election concluded, attention is expected to turn to Nabayiga’s agenda for Kalangala and how she intends to address the unique challenges facing residents of the district.

Among the key issues expected to dominate her tenure are improving access to essential services, strengthening transport networks between islands, promoting tourism and supporting livelihoods dependent on fishing and agriculture.

Her victory restores full parliamentary representation for Kalangala District following months of vacancy and sets the stage for renewed political activity as leaders prepare for the broader national elections.