The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that 46 parliamentary aspirants were nominated on the first day of the nomination exercise in Kampala, marking a strong start to the race for the 2026 general elections.
Makindye East Constituency recorded the highest number of nominations with 11 aspirants, followed by Nakawa East and Kampala Central, which each had eight. Makindye West saw five aspirants nominated, Kawempe South had four, while Kawempe North and Rubaga North each had two.
Rubaga South had three, the Kampala Woman MP slot attracted two candidates, and Nakawa West had one aspirant.
Among those nominated was Zahara Luyirika for Makindye West, who will battle incumbent Allan Ssewanyana, who was also nominated.
“I decided to come back and stand following the request of the electorates,” Ssewanyana, who was denied the NUP ticket, told journalists on Wednesday.
Others include Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu for Kawempe South, Ali Mulyanyama for Makindye East, Ronald Balimwezo (Kampala Mayor), and Robert Sekidde, also known as Tuff B, for Makindye East Constituency.
“What I have done is not going against the party decision but rather to protect the party because we face a risk of our yellow colleagues (NRM) taking this seat,” Sekidde said.
Commenting on his candidature, Fred Nyanzi said previous MPs have abandoned the constituency due to its challenges, noting that his experience and background make him best suited to represent the area effectively.
“Kawempe South has an upper class, middle class, and lower class—with Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, and the ghettos,” he said.
Elsewhere, in Entebbe Municipality, Michael Kakembo of the Democratic Front, Stephen Shyaka Gashaja representing the NRM, Vincent Kayanja DePaul of the Democratic Party, and Joyce Namulu from the NUP were nominated.
In Nansana Municipality, the first day saw nominations for Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa of the NUP, Id Matovu Muggaga of the NRM, Ramathan Mutebi, Henry Lubowa of the Democratic Front, Joseph Musoke Toryaggi, Fred Luyinda, Harold Kaija from the People’s Front for Freedom, Juliet Kayaga Kyambadde, Eng. Stephen Kaweesa, and Florence Naava Kintu.
Kira Municipality also had a busy day, with incumbent Ibrahim Semujju Nganda returning to defend his seat. He will face George Musisi of the NUP, Patrick Katuramu, Arthur Bright Niwagaba, Moses Kankunda, Daniel Kananura of the NRM, and Andrew Eiru representing the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Joel Ssenyonyi was nominated for Nakawa West.
The nomination exercise will continue in the coming days as the country edges closer to the 2026 general elections.
