President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is set to campaign today in Kawempe North, rallying support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Faridah Nambi, ahead of the constituency’s by-election scheduled for this Thursday, March 13, 2025.
The Kawempe North parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9, 2025.
In the lead-up to Museveni’s visit, NRM leaders, including Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, the party’s Deputy Secretary General, Ms Rose Namayanja, and Director of Mobilisation, Ms Rosemary Sseninde, have been actively campaigning in Kawempe North.
Yesterday (Monday), the party wigs urged constituents to support Nambi, emphasizing the need for effective representation and collaboration with the central government.
Nambi, daughter of NRM Vice National Chairperson Moses Kigongo, previously contested for the Kampala Woman MP seat in the 2021 general elections but lost to the National Unity Platform’s Shamim Malende.
In this by-election, Nambi has pledged to focus on socio-economic transformation, particularly supporting women and youth through initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the ‘GROW’ project funded by the World Bank.
“I will ensure that everyone in this constituency touches government empowerment funds from the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, ‘GROW’ project for women among other projects,” she said.
As the campaign intensifies, President Museveni’s involvement underscores the significance the NRM places on reclaiming the Kawempe North seat. His presence is expected to bolster Nambi’s campaign and energize the party’s base in the constituency.
In the 2021 elections, NUP’s late Muhammad Ssegirinya overwhelmingly won the seat with a whopping 41,197 votes, leaving his closest challenger, independent candidate Sulaiman Kidandala, far behind with 7,512 votes. NRM’s Tom Johnfisher Kasenge came third with 6,946 votes.
Nalukoola and Nambi remain the frontrunners in a race that has attracted nine candidates, including Henry Kasacca Mubiru (Democratic Party), Sadat Mukiibi (Forum for Democratic Change), and Ismail Musiitwa (People’s Progressive Party).
Independent candidates include Mohammad Luwemba, a former aide to Ssegirinya, and Moses Nsereko, who lost in NUP’s primaries.