Africa-Press – Uganda. The battle for the Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament seat is heating up, with the 2026 general elections promising a fierce contest marked by internal party competition, high-profile comebacks, and rising grassroots demands.
Incumbent Hon. Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) finds herself at the center of a growing political storm, as five women, including three from her own party, gear up to challenge her for the seat she won in 2021.
Bagala, a seasoned journalist-turned-politician, made headlines in the last general election after toppling then-Minister for Lands Judith Nabakooba of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Bagala won with 64,633 votes, while Nabakooba polled 48,322. Though the result was contested in court, it was upheld, solidifying Bagala’s presence in national politics.
But in the upcoming election, Bagala is not only facing a resurgent Nabakooba who is staging a political comeback but also a formidable line-up of new challengers: Nakayiza Sumaya (NRM), and three NUP-affiliated aspirants Mukisa Prossy (widely known as Nabbosa), Nalubega Fausta (Bitano), and Nalweyiso Catherine, the current Speaker of Mityana District Council.
The emergence of multiple candidates from within NUP has triggered questions about internal cohesion and strategic planning. Political analyst Richard Kyambadde warns that how the party handles its internal primaries could determine the outcome of the race.
“This is no longer just about who is most popular, it’s about party discipline and unity. If NUP doesn’t manage this process wisely, they could lose a seat they currently hold,” Kyambadde noted.
Bagala has come under fire from some voters who claim she has been distant and unresponsive to the district’s most pressing needs such as poor roads, underfunded health facilities, and growing youth unemployment. However, the MP insists she has done her part.
“I have used my voice in Parliament to speak for the people of Mityana,” Bagala said. “I’ve stood up for media rights, transparency, and good governance. Challenges remain, but solving systemic issues takes more than one MP.”
She added that despite criticism, her door has always been open to constituents and that some attacks are politically motivated.
Nalubega Fausta (Bitano), known for her deep connection with grassroots networks, says she’s entering the race to restore hope to the people of Mityana.
“The people are frustrated, not because they don’t love their country, but because they’ve been neglected. I want to represent those whose voices are never heard,” Fausta stated.
Meanwhile, Nalweyiso Catherine, currently serving as Speaker of Mityana District Council, is leveraging her leadership experience in local government as a stepping stone to national politics.
“I’ve seen how decisions at the national level affect us here on the ground. I want to bridge that gap and bring the people’s concerns directly to Parliament,” Nalweyiso said.
After losing the seat in 2021, Judith Nabakooba is determined to bounce back stronger. The minister for Lands says she has learned from the past and is ready to deliver better results if given another chance.
“I have not stopped serving. I’ve continued to support development initiatives in Mityana even without a parliamentary seat. I’m back because the people deserve leadership that delivers,” Nabakooba noted.
Her return signals the NRM’s effort to reclaim lost ground in a region where the opposition made significant gains in the last election.
All candidates will have to address the bread-and-butter issues troubling Mityana residents widespread poverty, deteriorating roads, under-equipped schools, healthcare gaps, and limited economic opportunities for the youth. With emotions already running high in politically charged area, campaigns are expected to be intense and highly personalised.
“This time, we’re not voting out of loyalty we want someone who will be with us and work for us,” said Amos Ssemakula, a youth leader from Naama.
With internal competition posing a major test for NUP’s cohesion, the party’s ability to manage its primaries will be crucial in either unifying the support base or splitting it. Political analydts say the outcome of the selection process may determine whether the ruling NRM regains control or the opposition solidifies its hold on Mityana.
As the 2026 elections near, one thing is certain: the Mityana Woman MP race will be one of Uganda’s most closely watched and hard-fought contests.
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