Six out to kick FDC’s Nyakato out of Hoima City

Six candidates challenge Asinansi Nyakato for Hoima Woman MP seat, focusing on community impact and representation.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, the race for the Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament seat is intensifying.

Six candidates are gearing up to challenge the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP Asinansi Nyakato.

Notable among them are Hoima City Deputy Mayor Sylvia Nalumaga, UK-based educationist Dianah Mugenyi, and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Violet Kabasindi Kiberu.

Political commentators in Hoima suggest that Nyakato won the 2021 general elections on a sympathy vote.

This followed her loss to Harriet Businge in the 2019 by-election, where many voters believed Nyakato had won but was not declared.

Allegations of voter bribery by state machinery were central to these claims.

As the 2026 elections draw near, the race for the Hoima City Woman MP seat is gaining momentum.

Six people have expressed interest in unseating Nyakato.

The most prominent contenders include Sylvia Nalumaga, Violet Kiberu Kabasindi, and Dianah Mugenyi.

Mugenyi has already begun extensive community work in Hoima.

Other candidates include independent Jane Karungi. The list is expected to grow as the election season heats up.

In an interview with the Nile Post, Sylvia Nalumaga criticised Nyakato for failing to lobby for women.

She also accused Nyakato of not organising women’s associations or empowering female leaders through seminars.

“I sit at the city council and have never heard our Honourable MP organise conferences for women or lobby for women’s groups to benefit from government programs,” Nalumaga said.

She emphasised the need for role models to inspire young girls. Many girls drop out of school due to a lack of exposure.

Violet Kiberu Kabasindi, who lost to Nyakato in the previous election, pointed out gaps in lobbying for educational scholarships.

She also mentioned a lack of health support for young girls.

Kabasindi criticised Nyakato for not effectively leveraging her position to bring tangible development programs to Hoima.

“It’s been three years now, and we hardly see any impact on women’s lives,” Kabasindi said.

Nyakato’s opponents argue that the people of Hoima, particularly women and young girls, have not been adequately represented.

However, political analyst Fred Byenkya believes that having an opposition candidate like Nyakato is strategic in pushing the government to deliver essential services.

“When all members are from the ruling party, it becomes difficult to raise dissenting voices,” Byenkya said.

“An opposition MP can strategically pressure the government to act,” he added.

Kabasindi disagrees with this viewpoint.

She argues that Hoima has lagged because Nyakato, not being an NRM member, lacks influence in the party’s caucus.

Kabasindi believes that key decisions are made within the caucus. She asserts that electing an NRM MP would better serve the people of Hoima.

In response to the criticism, Asinansi Nyakato stated that her role in Parliament is not about party colours.

She emphasised that it is about serving her constituents.

“This MP seat is not about Nyakato but anyone who meets the qualifications,” Nyakato said.

She claimed to have delivered significant benefits for the city.

These include advocating for tobacco farmers, petitioning for Bunyoro University, and pushing for an increased road budget.

Byenkya also noted that if Dianah Mugenyi secures the NRM ticket, the race for the Hoima City Woman MP seat will be particularly tough.

He highlighted Mugenyi’s financial resources.

Byenkya suggested that state support could make Mugenyi a formidable contender.

However, he also warned that politics has become highly monetised.

He noted that money often determines the outcome of elections.

Nyakato remains confident in her achievements. She asserts that she has fulfilled her campaign promises.

Nyakato believes she is the best candidate to continue leading Hoima.

“I have delivered 100 percent on my campaign manifesto,” Nyakato said.

She urged the people of Hoima to support her in the 2026 election.

She promised even greater progress if re-elected.

Political commentators believe that the 2026 Woman MP seat election will be determined by tangible contributions candidates have made to the community.

They suggest that campaign promises will not be the deciding factor.