The family of the late Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament, Hellen Nakimuli, has endorsed her sister Irene Nampala to contest for the vacant parliamentary seat ahead of the upcoming by election.
Nakimuli passed away last month at Alexandria Specialized Hospital along Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala, shortly after undergoing what was initially described as a successful surgical operation. The late legislator had reportedly driven herself to the facility for the procedure before her condition deteriorated unexpectedly.
Her death has left a political vacuum in Kalangala District, triggering preparations for a closely watched by election as political parties position themselves to replace a young legislator whose political career was widely seen as promising.
Following the release of the electoral roadmap, the National Unity Platform Elections Management Committee has formally invited party members interested in contesting for the Kalangala Woman MP seat to submit their expressions of interest.
According to the party, nominations for aspirants will open on Thursday, May 14, at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule. The process marks the beginning of an internal contest that will determine who carries the party flag in the upcoming election.
Harriet Chemutai, the Chairperson of the Elections Management Committee, said all aspirants must present a valid party membership card, curriculum vitae, academic documents, and a National Identity Card.
She added that vetting of candidates will be conducted on May 16, 2026, in the morning session, after which successful contenders will proceed to the next stage of the party selection process.
The Electoral Commission has already released the official timetable guiding the by election process in Kalangala District.
According to the roadmap, the update of the voters’ register will close on May 12, 2026. This will be followed by a public display of the register, which is scheduled to run from May 20 to May 29, allowing voters to verify and correct their details ahead of polling.
Nomination of candidates is set for June 4 and June 5, 2026, while the official campaign period will run from June 8 to June 22. Voting day has been fixed for June 24, 2026, when residents of Kalangala will head to the polls to elect a new Woman Member of Parliament.
The upcoming by election is being held in the shadow of grief following the sudden death of Nakimuli, whose tenure was marked by efforts to elevate service delivery and amplify the voices of island communities.
Her passing has not only triggered political realignment but also raised emotional and symbolic questions within her constituency, where she had built a growing support base.
The decision by her family to front her sister Irene Nampala is already drawing attention, setting the stage for what is expected to be a competitive race influenced by both political party dynamics and emotional voter sentiment.
As the Electoral Commission roadmap unfolds, Kalangala now moves into a politically charged period, where parties, families, and aspiring candidates will all be tested in a race shaped as much by legacy as by ambition.
